10 Most expensive players in IPL auction history

3. Sam Curran - 18.50 Crores (2023)

The England star all-rounder Sam Curran shattered the record books as he became the most expensive player in the history of the IPL at the 2023 auction. Curran was inked by Punjab Kings franchise courtesy of his magnanimous performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Notably, the 24-year-old was the Player of the Tournament. Moreover, he was also adjudged the Player of the Match in the grand final where he helped England beat Australia.

The left-arm medium-fast bowler was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for seasons 2020 and 2021, respectively. Back in 2019, Curran made his IPL debut for the Punjab Kings for an impressive Rs 7.2 crore. In his IPL career so far, the Northampton-born has played 32 matches whereby he scored 337 runs with an average of 22.46. The all-rounder also had an emphatic strike rate of 149.77.

Now, talking of his bowling prowess, Curran has scalped 32 wickets with an economy of 9.21. Interestingly, the Punjab Kings coach Trevor Bayliss, spoke highly of him saying that he will be fulfilling the role of a finisher for his team.