IPL Auction Records: Mitchell Starc 24.75 Crore, Sam Curran Records and the Economics of Cricket's Richest League
The biggest IPL auction sales in history — Mitchell Starc's record 24.75 crore purchase by KKR, Sam Curran's 18.5 crore record, Rishabh Pant's retention, and how IPL auction economics work.
The Indian Premier League auction is one of cricket's most commercially significant annual events — a process in which 10 franchises bid against each other for the right to sign international and domestic players for a three-month T20 tournament. The amounts paid at IPL auctions have grown dramatically since the first auction in 2008, reflecting the IPL's growth as the world's highest-valued domestic cricket league. The current record for the most expensive IPL auction purchase is Mitchell Starc's 24.75 crore (approximately $3 million USD) paid by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 IPL mega auction — breaking Sam Curran's record of 18.5 crore set in 2023.
Mitchell Starc: 24.75 Crore (KKR, 2024 Auction)
Mitchell Starc, Australia's left-arm pace bowler and the fastest deliveries in international cricket (he has bowled above 155 km/h in Tests), was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for 24.75 crore INR (approximately US$3 million) in the December 2023 IPL mega auction for the 2024 season. Starc had previously played only one IPL season (Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2014) before withdrawing from IPL cricket to prioritise Australia commitments. KKR's bid — a fierce bidding war with other franchises — reflected Starc's world-class status as a left-arm death bowler with the rare combination of pace (consistently 145+ km/h), swing, and international experience at the highest level. The 24.75 crore figure set a new all-time IPL auction record.
Sam Curran: 18.5 Crore (Punjab Kings, 2023 Auction)
Sam Curran, England's left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder, was purchased by Punjab Kings for 18.5 crore INR at the 2023 IPL mini-auction in December 2022 — breaking the previous record of 16.25 crore for Chris Morris (Rajasthan Royals, 2021 auction). Curran had won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, which elevated his market value significantly. His role as an attacking left-arm seamer who can bat aggressively in the late overs made him a target for franchises seeking bowling all-rounders. Punjab Kings' record bid reflected the franchise's aggressive approach to building a bowling attack, though Curran had mixed results in his Punjab tenure.
Rishabh Pant's Retention and Marquee Signings
Rishabh Pant's retention by Delhi Capitals for the 2025 IPL mega auction cycle was one of the most significant franchise decisions of recent years. Pant had suffered serious injuries in a car accident in December 2022 and missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons; Delhi retained him ahead of the mega auction despite his absence, reflecting their belief in his long-term value as one of India's premier T20 batsmen. In general, mega auction cycles (held every 2-3 years, when franchises release most players and rebuild rosters) produce the highest bids, as franchises compete for limited elite talent with full cap space. The 2022 and 2025 mega auctions have been the most commercially significant, producing the largest individual fees.
Notable IPL Auction Records by Year
- 2008: M.S. Dhoni — 1.5 million USD (Chennai Super Kings, first auction benchmark)
- 2012: Gautam Gambhir — 2.4 million USD (Kolkata Knight Riders, then record)
- 2011: Kieron Pollard — 2 million USD (Mumbai Indians, multiple years)
- 2021: Chris Morris — 16.25 crore (Rajasthan Royals, set new Indian Rupee record)
- 2023: Sam Curran — 18.5 crore (Punjab Kings, broke Morris record)
- 2024: Mitchell Starc — 24.75 crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, current record)
Frequently asked questions
Who holds the record for the most expensive IPL auction purchase?
Mitchell Starc holds the record for the most expensive IPL auction purchase — Kolkata Knight Riders paid 24.75 crore INR (approximately US$3 million) for Starc in the December 2023 mega auction for the 2024 IPL season. Starc is Australia's left-arm pace bowler, consistently one of the quickest in the world. The bid broke Sam Curran's record of 18.5 crore set a year earlier.
What was Sam Curran's IPL auction record?
Sam Curran was purchased by Punjab Kings for 18.5 crore INR (approximately US$2.2 million) at the December 2022 mini-auction for the 2023 IPL season — at the time the highest price ever paid for a player in IPL auction history. The record lasted one year before Mitchell Starc eclipsed it. Curran's valuation was boosted by his Player of the Tournament performance at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
How does the IPL auction system work?
IPL franchises have a salary cap (approximately 100 crore INR per season in recent years) and can retain a small number of players before each auction. Retained players' values are deducted from the franchise's remaining cap. At the auction itself, auctioneers call each player with a base price, and franchises bid against each other until only one team remains. Franchises also have Right-to-Match cards in some auction formats, allowing them to match the highest bid for players they have previously signed. The entire process is televised and treated as a major cricket media event.