Most expensive buys in Indian T20 League auction - Mitchell Starc bags the biggest-ever contract

The Indian T20 League auctions over the years have turned out to be game-changers for many cricketers. From star cricketers bagging multi-million dollar contracts to youngsters coming from humble beginnings taking home a large chunk of money - the auction table springs quite a few eyebrow raising moments. 

Mitchell Starc is the most expensive purchase in the history of the Indian T20 League. Interestingly, three of the five most expensive buys in Indian T20 League history took place in the 2023 mini-auction. 

Here’s a look at the 10 most expensive purchases in Indian T20 League history (Only includes players bought at auction). 

Most expensive buys in Indian T20 League auction

Mitchell Starc (Kolkata) - INR 24.75 crore

Two-time ICC ODI World Cup winner Mitchell Starc scripted history as he became the most expensive player in the Indian T20 League history. The star left-arm pacer was roped in by Team Kolkata for a whopping INR 24.75 crore at the Indian T20 League 2024 auction. After a huge bidding war between Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Kolkata, the latter bagged Starc for a record amount.

Pat Cummins (Hyderabad) - INR 20.50 crore 

The ICC World Cup 2023-winning captain Pat Cummins features second on the list for the most expensive player in the Indian T20 League history. Team Hyderabad bagged the services of the Australian fast bowler for INR 18.50 crore at the Indian T20 League 2024 auction. There was an intense bidding war between Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore before Hyderabad roped in the star pacer.

Sam Curran (Punjab) - INR 18.50 crore 

Sam Curran is one of the most in-demand all-rounders in world cricket, especially after he picked up the Player of the Tournament at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. There was a massive bidding war among Punjab, Mumbai and Rajasthan - but eventually, Punjab won his services for INR 18.50 crore.

Cameron Green (Mumbai) - INR 17.50 crore

Cameron Green made a great impression during Australia’s T20I series against India in September 2022. The 23-year-old has a strike rate of 173.75 in T20Is for Australia and was in the radar for plenty of teams. Mumbai went all out to purchase the player for INR 17.50 crore, making him the second most expensive player in the tournament.  

Ben Stokes (Chennai) - INR 16.25 crore

Ben Stokes previously was the biggest buy of 2017 and 2018 editions, for Pune (defunct franchise) and Rajasthan, respectively. The player returned to the table in the 2023 mini auction and once again went for big bucks. Chennai, the four-time champions who were looking for a captaincy successor to MS Dhoni, picked up Stokes for INR 16.25 crore. 

Chris Morris (Rajasthan) - INR 16.25 crore

Before Punjab won the bidding war for Sam Curran, Chris Morris held the record for the most expensive auction buy in Indian T20 League. Rajasthan purchased him after a fierce bidding war with his former employers Bangalore ahead of the 2021 edition. As it turned out, he broke Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing record (INR 16 crore) to take home INR 16.25 crore.

Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow) - INR 16 crore

The Caribbean power-hitter has been among the big buys in the Indian T20 League auction for many years. After Hyderabad purchased him for INR 10.75 crore in the mega auction of 2022, he was sold for INR 16 crore to Lucknow in the following edition.

Photo Credit: Alamy