The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a cricket tournament. It is a festival, a drama, and a huge business. Every year, before the first ball is bowled, the real action starts at the auction table. This is where team owners sit with millions of dollars, trying to buy the best players in the world.
Some players are so good that every team wants them. When two or more teams want the same player, a "bidding war" starts. These wars are intense. Prices jump from 2 crore to 10 crore and then to 20 crore in just a few minutes. Over the years, we have seen some crazy bidding wars that changed the lives of cricketers forever.
In this blog, we will look at the biggest bidding wars in IPL auction history, including the record-breaking deals from the 2025 mega auction and the 2026 mini-auction.
1. Rishabh Pant: The 27 Crore Man (IPL 2025)
The IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw the biggest bidding war ever. The star of the show was Rishabh Pant. For years, Pant was the face of Delhi Capitals (DC). But when he entered the auction pool, every team saw a chance to get a world-class wicketkeeper and a captain.
The bidding started fast. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went head-to-head. RCB eventually pulled out at 11 crore, but then Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered. The price quickly crossed 20 crore. Finally, LSG placed a bid of 20.75 crore.
Just when it looked over, Delhi Capitals used their right to match card to get him back. But according to new rules, LSG had one more chance to raise the price. They raised it to a staggering 27 crore. Delhi decided it was too much and backed out. Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history.
2. Shreyas Iyer: The Captain's Demand (IPL 2025)
Right before Rishabh Pant’s bid, Shreyas Iyer had already broken records. Shreyas had just led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title in 2024, but he was released. Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals, and KKR all wanted him as their leader.
The battle between Delhi and Punjab was fierce. The paddle kept going up without a pause. Eventually, Punjab Kings, who had the biggest purse in the auction, won the war with a bid of 26.75 crore. For a few minutes, he was the costliest player ever, until Pant took the top spot shortly after.
3. Cameron Green: The KKR Power Play (IPL 2026)
As we moved into the 2026 Mini-Auction, the trend of high prices continued. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the talk of the town. Green is a rare player who can bowl 140 kmph and hit massive sixes.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were looking for a replacement for their aging all-rounders. They got into a massive bidding war with other teams. The price flew past 20 crore. KKR finally secured him for 25.20 crore.
Interesting Fact: Due to new BCCI rules for overseas players, Green would take home 18 crore, while the rest of the bid amount would go to the BCCI player welfare fund. Still, it remains one of the top three bids in history.
4. Mitchell Starc: The Left-Arm Lightning (IPL 2024)
Before the 2025 mega auction, Mitchell Starc held the record for the highest bid. In the 2024 auction, Starc returned to the IPL after 8 long years. Everyone knew he would go for a high price because quality left-arm fast bowlers are hard to find.
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals started the fight. But when the price reached 10 crore, KKR and Gujarat Titans (GT) took over. The two teams refused to give up. The auction room was silent every time the hammer was about to fall, only for another paddle to go up. KKR eventually won the war at 24.75 crore. It was a massive gamble that paid off, as Starc helped KKR win the trophy that year.
5. Pat Cummins: The World Cup Winner (IPL 2024)
Just an hour before Mitchell Starc was sold in 2024, his captain, Pat Cummins, had set a new record. After winning the ODI World Cup in India, Cummins was the hottest name in cricket.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians started the bidding. Later, RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad joined in. The price crossed the 20 crore mark for the first time in IPL history. SRH finally got him for 20.50 crore. Cummins proved his worth by leading SRH to the final in 2024 with his brilliant captaincy.
6. Sam Curran: The 2023 Sensation (IPL 2023)
In 2023, England’s Sam Curran became the most expensive player at that time. He had just won the "Player of the Tournament" award at the T20 World Cup.
Six out of ten teams wanted him. CSK, PBKS, MI, and RR all fought hard. The price kept rising by 25 lakhs and 50 lakhs. Finally, Punjab Kings bought him for 18.50 crore. It was a life-changing moment for the young all-rounder.
7. Chris Morris: The Surprise Record (IPL 2021)
The bidding war for Chris Morris in 2021 was a big surprise. He was a good player, but no one expected him to become the most expensive player in history at that time.
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore started the bidding. Then Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings entered the fight. The price reached 16.25 crore, and RR took him home. It was the first time an overseas player who wasn't a "superstar" broke the all-time record.
8. Yuvraj Singh: The Indian Icon (IPL 2014 & 2015)
We cannot talk about bidding wars without mentioning Yuvraj Singh. He was the king of auctions for two years in a row.
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In 2014, RCB bought him for 14 crore after a long fight with other teams.
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In 2015, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) went even further and bought him for 16 crore.
At that time, these amounts were considered impossible. Yuvraj showed that Indian superstars would always be in high demand.
9. Ishan Kishan: The Wicketkeeper's Value (IPL 2022)
In the 2022 Mega Auction, Mumbai Indians were desperate to get their young star Ishan Kishan back. Bidding wars for Indian wicketkeeper-batsmen are always intense because they are "two players in one."
SRH and Gujarat Titans tried their best to take him away, but Mumbai Indians kept raising the paddle. They finally spent 15.25 crore to keep him. This remains one of the biggest successful "buy-back" stories in IPL history.
10. Gautam Gambhir: The Foundation of KKR (IPL 2011)
If we look back at the early years, the bid for Gautam Gambhir in 2011 was legendary. KKR wanted a new leader to change their fortunes. They fought hard against several teams and bought him for 14.9 crore (around $2.4 million back then). It was a huge amount for that era. Gambhir later led KKR to two IPL titles, proving that every rupee spent on him was worth it.
Why do these bidding wars happen?
You might wonder why teams spend 25 or 27 crore on just one player. There are three main reasons:
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Supply and Demand: There are very few high-quality "all-rounders" or "fast bowlers" who can also bat. When one becomes available, everyone wants it.
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Captaincy: Teams often pay extra for a player who can lead the team. This is why Pant and Iyer got such high prices.
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The Purse Factor: Sometimes a team like Punjab Kings has a lot of money left in their "purse." They can afford to outbid everyone else just to make sure they get their target player.
While established stars usually get the big money, teams also look for fresh talent. For example, many scouts were carefully watching to see who would be the youngest player in IPL Auction 2026 to find a long-term investment.
Conclusion
The IPL auction is a place where dreams come true. From MS Dhoni being the costliest in 2008 (9.5 crore) to Rishabh Pant hitting 27 crore in 2025, the league has grown at an amazing speed. These bidding wars show the passion of the owners and the incredible value of the players.
As the league continues to grow, it won't be a surprise if we see a player crossing the 30 crore mark in the near future!
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