See the most expensive player of each team in IPL 2026 auction. Full team-wise list with prices, roles, analysis, and key insights from the latest auction.
The IPL 2026 mega auction once again proved why it is the most intense player market in world cricket. Franchises spent aggressively, uncapped players crossed shocking price tags, and a few proven international stars completely broke the auction scale.
In this article, you’ll find the most expensive player bought by each IPL team in the 2026 auction, along with prices, roles, and clear explanations of why teams paid that much. This is a team-wise, fact-focused, and reader-friendly guide—exactly what users (and Google) look for.
Most Expensive Player in IPL 2026 Auction – Team-wise List
| IPL Team | Most Expensive Player | Price (₹ Crore) | Role |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Cameron Green | 25.20 | All-rounder |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Kartik Sharma | 14.20 | Batter (Uncapped) |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Liam Livingstone | 13.00 | All-rounder |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Josh Inglis | 8.60 | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Auqib Dar | 8.40 | Bowler (Uncapped) |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Ravi Bishnoi | 7.20 | Spinner |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Jason Holder | 7.00 | All-rounder |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Venkatesh Iyer | 7.00 | All-rounder |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Ben Dwarshuis | 4.40 | Fast Bowler |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Quinton de Kock | 1.00 | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
This table satisfies direct search intent, which is critical for ranking on competitive IPL keywords.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Cameron Green – ₹25.20 Crore
KKR made the biggest move of the IPL 2026 auction by signing Cameron Green for ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player of the auction.
Why KKR paid so much:
- Genuine pace-bowling all-rounders are rare
- Can bat in the top order and bowl at crucial stages
- Solves multiple team balance issues with one player
This was not an emotional bid—it was a calculated, long-term investment.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Kartik Sharma – ₹14.20 Crore
CSK shocked everyone by spending ₹14.20 crore on uncapped Indian batter Kartik Sharma, making him their most expensive buy.
What this tells us:
- CSK is clearly planning beyond one season
- Heavy trust in domestic scouting
- Building the next Indian core, not just buying stars
CSK’s history shows that when they back a player strongly, they usually give him clarity and time.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Liam Livingstone – ₹13.00 Crore
SRH’s top buy was Liam Livingstone, picked for ₹13.00 crore.
Why Livingstone fits SRH perfectly:
- Explosive middle-order power
- Can bowl part-time spin
- Match-winner who changes games in 10 balls
SRH clearly wanted instant impact, not experiments.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Josh Inglis – ₹8.60 Crore
LSG invested heavily in Josh Inglis for ₹8.60 crore, making him their most expensive purchase.
Why this makes sense:
- Reliable wicketkeeper-batter
- Aggressive intent at the top
- Offers flexibility in overseas combinations
Teams often underestimate how valuable a stable wicketkeeper is—LSG didn’t.
Delhi Capitals (DC): Auqib Dar – ₹8.40 Crore
Delhi Capitals surprised many by paying ₹8.40 crore for uncapped bowler Auqib Dar.
What this signals:
- DC identified a specific bowling gap
- Will likely play him regularly
- Focus on Indian talent rather than overseas overload
Such bids usually come after strong domestic performance analysis.
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Ravi Bishnoi – ₹7.20 Crore
RR’s most expensive buy was Ravi Bishnoi for ₹7.20 crore.
Why Bishnoi is worth it:
- Controls middle overs
- Proven IPL performer
- Ideal for spin-friendly pitches
RR continues to build around smart bowling investments.
Gujarat Titans (GT): Jason Holder – ₹7.00 Crore
GT signed Jason Holder for ₹7.00 crore, valuing experience and balance over hype.
Why Holder fits GT:
- Adds depth to batting
- Provides reliable seam bowling
- Calm leadership presence on the field
A classic GT-style buy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Venkatesh Iyer – ₹7.00 Crore
RCB spent ₹7.00 crore on Venkatesh Iyer, making him their top purchase.
Key reasons:
- Left-hand batting option
- Can bowl medium pace
- Flexible role across formats
RCB focused on balance, not noise, this time.
Punjab Kings (PBKS): Ben Dwarshuis – ₹4.40 Crore
PBKS’s most expensive buy was Ben Dwarshuis for ₹4.40 crore.
Why PBKS targeted him:
- Left-arm pace option
- Effective in powerplay and death overs
- Value-for-money overseas pick
Not flashy, but potentially very effective.
Mumbai Indians (MI): Quinton de Kock – ₹1.00 Crore
Mumbai Indians stayed unusually calm and signed Quinton de Kock for ₹1.00 crore, their highest buy in the auction.
What this shows:
- MI already had a strong core
- Looked for experience, not luxury
- Smart budget management
MI’s auction strategy is often quiet—but dangerous.
Key Takeaways from IPL 2026 Auction
- All-rounders dominated high bids
- Uncapped Indian players attracted massive trust
- Teams focused more on role clarity than star value
- Auction strategies varied sharply from team to team
FAQs – Most Expensive Player in IPL 2026 Auction
Q1. Who was the most expensive player in IPL 2026 auction?
Cameron Green, bought by KKR for ₹25.20 crore.
Q2. Which IPL team spent the most on a single player in 2026?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Q3. Were uncapped players expensive in IPL 2026 auction?
Yes, CSK and DC paid high prices for uncapped Indian players.
Q4. Which team made the smartest budget buys?
Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans showed strong budget discipline.