What began in 2008 as an ambitious experiment has now transformed into the world’s richest T20 league. Season after season, the IPL's soaring popularity has driven viewership to unprecedented heights, attracting big investments and turning the tournament into one of the most expensive sporting spectacles globally. The IPL is no longer just about the on-field action; it is a battleground of multi-million dollar deals, record-breaking broadcast rights, and sponsorships that redefine sporting economics.
When Kolkata Knight Riders shattered records by securing Mitchell Starc for 24.75 crore, many believed that figure would stand untouched for years. However, the IPL thrives on rewriting expectations. In the very next mega auction, Punjab Kings went a step further, acquiring Shreyas Iyer for 26.75 crore, only for Rishabh Pant to rewrite history by becoming the league’s most expensive player at 27 crore.
Defying financial and sporting limits is what the IPL does best, and IPL 2025 is set to continue that trend. With the new season around the corner, let’s take a closer look at the highest paid players from each team.
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Rishabh Pant (27 crore- LSG)
There were talks about Rishabh Pant heading to teams like Punjab Kings or Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but in the end, it was Lucknow Super Giants who secured the wicketkeeper-batter for a record 27 crore. The LSG management was determined to have Pant at any cost, and with him in the mix, they have covered three crucial bases—a batter, a wicketkeeper, and a captain. LSG didn’t just sign a player; they secured a box-office spectacle.
Shreyas Iyer (26.75 crore- PBKS)
Punjab Kings continued their tradition of making headlines at the auction, spending 26.75 crore on Shreyas Iyer. With Ricky Ponting as head coach and Iyer leading the side, the duo will be eager to replicate the success they had with Delhi Capitals in 2019 and 2020. Iyer’s ability to anchor innings and shift gears seamlessly makes him a prized acquisition, but will he be the one to finally turn PBKS' fortunes around? That remains the billion-dollar question.
Venkatesh Iyer (KKR- 23.75 crore- KKR)
The defending champions didn’t look far for their golden ticket. Reacquiring Venkatesh Iyer for an unexpected 23.75 crore underscores how highly KKR values its all-rounder. Beyond his impact with bat and ball, Iyer will also take on added responsibility as vice-captain. He has matured as cricketer over the years, but with a price tag like that, the expectations will be sky-high.
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Heinrich Klaasen (23 crore- SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a bold statement by securing Heinrich Klaasen for 23 crore, making him the most expensive player in their current squad. One of the finest T20 batters in the world, Klaasen’s ability to take down both pace and spin makes him a nightmare for bowlers. Add to that his reliability behind the stumps, and it’s clear why SRH went all in. This season, they will be banking on his consistency and big-match temperament to deliver.
Virat Kohli (21 crore- RCB)
Virat Kohli and RCB—some things never change. Despite speculation around his future, RCB ensured their talisman remained at home for 21 crore. Kohli is the heart and soul of the franchise, both on and off the field, and his legacy is deeply tied to RCB. Will 2025 finally be the year they lift their maiden IPL trophy? Fans can only hope their most beloved player can turn the dream into reality.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad (18 crore- CSK)
CSK, known for its loyalty, doubled down on its core by giving 18 crore each to Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Jadeja remains the ultimate three-dimensional player, Gaikwad is the current captain of the franchise. With MS Dhoni retained as an uncapped player for just 4 crore, the management found it easier to keep both Jadeja and Gaikwad in the same price bracket.
Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal (18 crore- RR)
Rajasthan Royals turned heads by retaining Yashasvi Jaiswal for 18 crore, matching the price tag of their most successful captain, Sanju Samson. However, the decision to part ways with Jos Buttler—one of RR’s most influential players—sent shockwaves through the cricketing circles. Yet, with Rahul Dravid at the helm, the franchise’s commitment to an all-Indian core felt more like a calculated strategy than a risky gamble.
Jasprit Bumrah (18 crore- MI)
No surprises here—Jasprit Bumrah remains Mumbai’s most prized asset. As India’s biggest match-winner across formats, he commands the highest paycheck despite the presence of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav in the squad. MI made sure their pace spearhead stayed put, splurging 18 crore to keep him in blue and gold.
Rashid Khan (18 crore- GT)
Rashid Khan was retained as Gujarat Titans' highest-paid player ahead of the mega auction at 18 crore, 1.5 crore more than Shubman Gill's 16.50 crore. Given his evolution as a dangerous finisher with the bat, along with his ever-reliable brilliance with the ball and in the field, Rashid was always the frontrunner to command the biggest paycheck from GT’s purse.
Axar Patel (16.50 crore- DC)
When it became almost certain that DC was not keen on retaining Rishabh Pant as their highest paid player, Axar Patel emerged as the next in line and that’s exactly what happened. At 16.50 crore, Axar now stands as the highest paid cricketer of the Capitals and he was recently announced as their captain as well.
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