IPL 2025: Most expensive players who have struggled and failed to justify their price tags

In every auction before an IPL season begins, franchises spend a lot of money on big-name players, hoping they will win games and make a major impact. But spending large amount of money doesn’t always guarantee success, especially in sporting leagues. In IPL 2025 , a few star cricketers with huge price tags are struggling to live up to the hype.

Whether it’s poor form, lack of consistency, or just not clicking this season, here’s a look at some of the costliest players who haven’t delivered in IPL 2025 so far. The list includes some big names of Indian cricket such as Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant.

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants - Rs 27 crore)

Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history when Lucknow Super Giants bought him for INR 27 crore. While his team is doing well and sitting at fifth place, Pant has had a tough season personally. He has scored just 106 runs in seven innings, with only one fifty to his name. His average is just 15.14 and his strike rate is below 100.

Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders - Rs 23.75 crore)

Kolkata Knight Riders surprised everyone by buying back Venkatesh Iyer for a massive INR 23.75 crore, after not retaining him earlier. But halfway through the season, the move hasn’t worked as hoped. KKR are in the bottom half of the table and Iyer has only managed 135 runs in six innings. He has a strike rate of 139.17 and one good knock of 60, but overall, he hasn’t delivered enough.

Yuvvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings - Rs 18 crore)

Yuzvendra Chahal was picked by Punjab Kings at the IPL 2025 auction for INR 18 crore. In 8 matches, he has picked up 9 wickets. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, his economy rate of 9.30 has been on the higher side. With an average of 26.88 and strike rate of 17.33, Chahal has delivered in patches, but Punjab will be hoping for more consistency from their senior spinner.

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Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans - Rs 18 crore)

Rashid Khan is known as one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. Gujarat Titans retained him for INR 18 crore, even more than captain Shubman Gill. But this season, Rashid hasn’t been at his best. He has taken only 6 wickets in 8 games and has an expensive economy rate of 9.26. While GT are stitting at the top of the table, Rashid’s quiet season could be a problem later on if they make the playoffs.

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians - Rs 16.30 crore)

Rohit Sharma showed his class with a brilliant 76 not out against Chennai Super Kings, but overall his season has been below average. Outside of that one knock against CSK, he hasn’t been able to fire at all. Mumbai Indians are picking up form slowly, but Rohit must step up quickly to help their campaign. Rohit has played 7 games and has scored 158 at an average of 26.33 and a strike rate of 154.90.