Rishabh Pant breaks Shreyas Iyer's record to emerge as most expensive player in IPL history

Rishabh Pant emerged as the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) history thus far after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) shelled out Rs 27 crore for his services at the IPL 2025 auction. Pant broke Shreyas Iyer's record of Rs 26.75 crore which was set just a while back by Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Pant was expected to spark a bidding war after he was released by Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL Auction 2025 and Lucknow Super Giants eventually clinched the Indian star keeper-batter’s services for Rs 27 crore, making him the most expensive buy of the event. Pant, renowned for his explosive batting, is expected to lead Lucknow in the next IPL season.

Lucknow outbid Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and even Pant’s former team, Delhi Capitals, to seal the deal.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, who commanded a massive payday last year and was the most expensive player before the 2025 auction with a price tag of Rs 24.75 crore, was signed by Delhi Capitals for a more modest ₹11.75 crore. Gujarat Titans made notable acquisitions as well, picking up England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler for rs 15.75 million and South African pacer Kagiso Rabada.

In total, 577 players have registered for the two-day auction, as teams prepare for the upcoming edition of the 10-team IPL tournament.