Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL History (2008–2026)

The Indian Premier League, hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, is the most competitive and fierce T20 franchise league in the world. Top players from all around the world feature themselves to compete in this league. The league is seen as one of the best global sporting events featuring high-intensity clashes, massive fan following, and unmatched sponsorships.

Over the years, the Indian Premier League has seen an immense growth in its brand value, evolving from just a domestic cricket tournament into a global sporting powerhouse. Top cricketing talents from all over the globe have received enormous contracts with one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world. In this article, we will talk about the most expensive overseas player in IPL history from 2008 to 2026.

List of Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL History (Updated)

In the history of the Indian Premier League from 2008 to 2026, we have seen many overseas players receiving a great amount of money as a contract in the IPL auction.

Over the years, top players from all around the world have attracted a huge amount of bids for their reputation, impact, and match-winning abilities. Teams heavily invest in talented overseas superstars to enhance their team and gain global experience. Here is the list of the most expensive overseas player in IPL.

Who is the Most Expensive Overseas Player Sold in IPL History?

The T20 cricket is a format of the game that emphasises the skills and talent of a player. The abilities of a certain player depict the amount of money he can attract in the auction.

Over the years, IPL has served as a great platform for players to showcase their talent and skills on the world stage. Here are the most expensive overseas player sold in IPL history.

10. Jos Buttler | Gujarat Titans | ₹15.75 crore

English wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler is one of the most attacking top-order batters in the limited-overs format. Over the years, he has been around various IPL franchises, asserting his dominance in the league.

In the 2025 IPL auction, Jos Buttler acquired a total of ₹15.75 crore from the Gujarat Titans, after a great bidding war between various teams.

9. Nicholas Pooran | Lucknow Super Giants | ₹16 crore

Left-handed West Indian wicket-keeper, Nicholas Pooran, is one of the most versatile batters in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As of now, he has played in various positions, consistently contributing to the side. Ahead of the 2025 IPL auction, Nicholas Pooran was retained by the Lucknow Super Giants for a price of ₹16 crore.

8. Chris Morris | Rajasthan Royals | ₹16.25 crore

South African bowling all-rounder, Chris Morris, who has been one of the most impactful all-rounders in the T20 format, has been a part of IPL for a very long time.

His talent and experience made him a valuable asset for the franchises, increasing his demand in the 2021 IPL auction. As a result, Morris received a bid of ₹16.25 crore by Rajasthan Royals.

7. Ben Stokes | Chennai Super Kings | ₹16.25 crore

One of the greatest all-rounders in modern-day cricket, Ben Stokes is a multi-talented cricketer who has overperformed in various formats of the game.

His talent and skills make him a contender for the most valuable player for a franchise. During the 2023 IPL auction, Ben Stokes was bought by Chennai Super Kings for ₹16.25 Crore.

6. Matheesha Pathirana | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹18 crore

Sri Lanka's one of the most consistent fast-bowlers in the T20 format, Matheesha Pathirana, is a fast bowler who has a similar bowling action to the greatest Sri Lankan pace bowler, Lasith Malinga.

In the 20-over format, the pacer has dominated on the international stage in recent times. In the 2026 IPL auction, Matheesha Pathirana became one of the most expensive players, acquiring a total of ₹18 crore by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

5. Sam Curran | Punjab Kings | ₹18.50 crore

The youngest and talented all-rounders in the world of cricket, Sam Curran has been a consistent name in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Over the years, he has significantly contributed to the league by being a part of various top teams and carrying them with excellent performances. In the 2023 IPL auction, Sam Curran acquired a contract of ₹18.50 crore with the Punjab Kings.

4. Pat Cummins | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ₹20.50 crore

Pat Cummins, one of the greatest captains in modern-day cricket, has contributed significantly towards the success of the world's greatest T20 franchise league, the IPL.

With his excellent leadership abilities, he has carried Sunrisers Hyderabad to the finals and playoffs. In IPL auction 2024, Pat Cummins saw a bid of ₹20.50 crore by the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

3. Heinrich Klaasen | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ₹23 crore

Heinrich Klaasen, one of the greatest attacking batters in the history of the Indian Premier League, finds himself in the list of most expensive foreign player in IPL history.

One of the best wicket-keepers in IPL, Klaasen, has retired from international cricket, focusing solely on the T20 franchise leagues all over the globe. Ahead of the 2025 IPL auction, one of the best IPL teams, Sunrisers Hyderabad, retained Heinrich Klaasen for a record amount of ₹23 crore, making him one of the most expensive player in IPL history ever.

2. Mitchell Starc | Kolkata Knight Rider | ₹24.75 Crore

The greatest left-arm pace bowlers in the current generation of cricket, Mitchell Starc, has been a valuable asset for his team. Over the years, his deadly pace and swing have made him one of the most feared pacers in cricket.

During the 2024 IPL auction, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc got a contract of ₹24.75 Crore, making him the most expensive bowler in the IPL. Following this, he carried the Kolkata Knight Riders to the league title that season.

1. Cameron Green | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹25.20 Crore

Australian all-rounder, Cameron Green, is an attacking batting all-rounder in the cricketing world, who is known for his aggressive intent and attacking strokes. Over the last few seasons, he has performed significantly well, resulting in a growth in reputation and prominence in T20 cricket.

In the IPL 2026 auction, Cameron Green scripted history by becoming the most expensive player sold in IPL history for ₹25.20 crore.

Who is the Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL Auction 2026?

According to the 2026 IPL auction, one of the best IPL all-rounders, Cameron Green, is the most expensive overseas player in IPL 2026, after getting a contract of ₹25.20 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders.

His performances in recent times have made him one of the hottest prospects in the world of cricket. Kolkata Knight Riders acquired the services of the Australian all-rounder after a huge bidding war with Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.