Australian all-rounder Cameron Green entered elite company at the IPL 2026 auction after Kolkata Knight Riders signed him for a staggering ₹25.20 crore. The deal made Green the third most expensive player in IPL history and the costliest overseas player ever, surpassing previous records held by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Below is a look at the top five most expensive buys in IPL auction history, highlighting how the market has evolved and how franchise strategies continue to push boundaries.
1. Rishabh Pant: ₹27.00 crore (LSG, IPL 2025)
Rishabh Pant remains the most expensive player in IPL auction history. Lucknow Super Giants broke all records in 2025 to secure the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, betting heavily on his leadership and long-term value.
2. Shreyas Iyer: ₹26.75 crore (PBKS, IPL 2025)
Punjab Kings followed closely in the same auction cycle, spending big on Shreyas Iyer. The investment reflected Iyer’s stature as a proven IPL captain and reliable top-order batter.
3. Cameron Green: ₹25.20 crore (KKR, IPL 2026)
Cameron Green’s price tag underlined the premium placed on fast-bowling all-rounders. Kolkata Knight Riders went all out in 2026 to land the Australian, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history.
4. Mitchell Starc: ₹24.75 crore (KKR, IPL 2024)
KKR’s spending spree on elite pace began with Mitchell Starc in 2024. The Australian left-arm quick became the most expensive overseas player at the time, a record later surpassed by his compatriot Cameron Green.
5. Venkatesh Iyer: ₹23.75 crore (KKR, IPL 2025)
Venkatesh Iyer rounds off the list after KKR invested heavily to retain him in 2025. The franchise’s faith in the Indian all-rounder was evident as they pushed his valuation into the elite bracket.
Also Read: Record-Breakers: Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma become IPL's costliest uncapped players
