Most Expensive Players in the IPL

1. Chris Morris

Topping the list of the most expensive players in the IPL 2021 edition is Chris Morris. This surprise ranking came as the Rajasthan Royals forked out an impressive sum for the South African all-rounder. With this single transaction, Morris became the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.

Although Morris played for Bangalore in the 2020 season, he was only on the pitch for nine matches. In this time, he took 11 wickets and only managed to score 34 runs. With this track record alone, it is difficult to say exactly with the Royals were ready to give up another international player and pay so much for Morris. However, according to the player himself, the team needed him to be able to change any game in its favour, using either bat or ball. In addition, all-rounders were clearly in high demand during this year’s IPL auction.

2. Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson is a 26-year-old all-rounder from New Zealand who had, until February 2021, only four international appearances during a Twenty20 match. Despite this, he became an instant millionaire when Bangalore scooped him up. The 6ft 8in rising star will have a lot to prove, however, he has already shown a powerful right-handed batting ability along with a right-arm fast-medium bowling approach.

3. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell is a 6ft Australian all-rounder with previous experience playing in India’s Premier League. In the previous edition of the tournament, the right-handed batter failed to impress his Punjab Kings fans. This, however, did not stop a fierce bidding war between Bangalore and the Chennai Super Kings. The victors of this auction are hoping that Maxwell returns in full form, providing powerful batting along with an off-break, right-arm bowling technique.

4. Jhye Richardson

Jhye Richardson is the most expensive bowler in the IPL 2021 edition. It wasn’t surprising to see the 24-year-old Australian reach such a high price tag, given his recent performance in the Big Bash League. During this tournament, he took a total of 29 wickets, five over any other bowler. Richardson is a capable, right-hand fast bowler who has plenty of drive to succeed in his appearance in the IPL.

5. Krishnappa Gowtham

Krishnappa Gowtham is the only Indian player to appear on this list. Born in Bangalore, this 32-year-old all-rounder broke the record for the most expensive Indian player in IPL history. This comes as a result of a fierce, three-way bidding war for the right-handed player with plenty of experience playing in the IPL. Even though he played with the Kings for two games in the 2020 season, the off-spinner will certainly seek to leave his greatest-ever mark on the tournament which has provided him with his biggest-ever paycheck.

1. MS Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a former India international cricket captain with numerous victories in the sport. He joined the IPL in its first edition, leading the Chennai Super Kings. During his career, he won the tournament three times, in 2010, 2011, and 2018 seasons. In 2015, Forbes named Dhoni as the 23rd highest-paid athlete in the world, whilst, in 2011, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the year.

2. Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff is an English all-rounder who tied with Kevin Pietersen as the most valuable player in the IPL 2009 season. Although he spent most of his cricket career playing for the English team of Lancashire, the 6ft 4in all-rounder was fiercely fought over by multiple IPL teams. In the end, the Kings scooped him up for what was then a record price, although the player failed to deliver. After a couple of challenging matches, Flintoff was sent home due to a knee injury.

3. Gautam Ghambir

Gautam Ghambir is a retired Indian batsman who joined the IPL in its first edition, playing for the Delhi Daredevils. During his cricket career, the left-handed batter reached several milestones, including ranking amongst the top 10 run-scorers in India. Ghambir was also selected as the 2009 Test Player of the Year, and ten years later would receive the  Padma Shri award.

4. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh is a retired Indian batting all-rounder who was the highest-paid IPL cricketer in both the 2015 and 2014 seasons. The son of a fast-bowler, Singh first appeared in the Premier League in 2008 as part of the Kings XI Punjab team. His reputation and capabilities on the field led the Royal Challengers Bangalore to bid a whopping, ₹14 crore in 2014. In that year, Singh was chosen as the FICCI Most Inspiring Sportsperson of the Year Award.

5. Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes is an English all-rounder who first joined the IPL following the season’s highest bid. In that year, Stokes played for the Rising Pune Supergiant, collecting three Man of the Match awards. The following year, Stokes was again the most expensive player of the season, although the Rajasthan Royals were able to get him at a discounted price of ₹12.5 crores.