The Indian Premier League has grown to be regarded as the greatest league in the world. The rich T20 tournament has drawn a lot of high-profile athletes who like the tag in their professional careers to participate in the league.

International players, particularly all-rounders, laughed their way to the banks as franchise owners poured out millions without hesitation to meet the demands and needs of their teams. On several occasions, some players have sparked a bidding war among franchises to attract large sums of money. Here is a list of the seven most expensive players in international tournament history.

1. Sam Curran- Rs 18.5 Crore, Punjab Kings

During the 2023 IPL auction, Sam Curran became the most expensive IPL player, as the Punjab Kings signed him for a whopping Rs. 18.5 Crore. 

Curran drew interest in the auction after winning the 2022 T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament award. Curran has 337 runs scored with a strike rate of 149.78 in 32 games across three seasons. Curran also has 32 wickets at a 9.21 economy rate.

2. Cameron Green- Rs 17.5 Crore, Mumbai Indians

Cameron Green was signed by Mumbai for Rs 17.50 crore in the IPL 2023 auction, becoming the league’s second-most-expensive player.

Green made his T20I debut for Australia in April 2022. Green has a strike rate of 173.75 and two 50+ scores in eight games. In November 2022, he hit two fifties against India, 61 off 30 balls and 52 off 21 deliveries.

3. Ben Stokes- Rs 16.25 Crore, Chennai Super Kings

In the 2023 IPL auction, Chennai Super Kings signed Ben Stokes. After playing a crucial part in England’s T20 World Cup victory earlier this year, Stokes drew interest from several teams.

Finally, the MS Dhoni-led squad secured Stokes for Rs 16.25 crore, the third-highest price tag in IPL history. In addition, he has equaled South Africa’s Chris Morris for the third-most expensive signing in IPL history.

4. Chris Morris- Rs 16.25 Crore, Rajasthan Royals

Former South African all-rounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player in the IPL when he was bought by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2021 mini-auction.

Morris finished the IPL 2021 season as Rajasthan’s best wicket-taker, with 15 wickets in 11 matches. However, he struggled with the bat, scoring 67 runs at an average of 13.40. 

5. Nicholas Pooran- Rs 16 Crore, Lucknow Super Giants

Nicholas Pooran was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 auction in Kochi on Friday for Rs 16 crore, making him the most expensive wicketkeeper batter in IPL auction history.

Pooran played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2022 season, scoring 306 runs in 14 games before being released before the mini-auction. Over his four seasons in the event, the West Indies player has averaged 26.06 with a strike rate of 151.24.

6. Yuvraj Singh- Rs 16 Crore, Delhi Daredevils 

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh struck gold when he was acquired by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for Rs 16 crore ahead of the 2015 IPL. Yuvraj failed to live up to expectations with Delhi, scoring 248 runs and taking one wicket in 14 games.

7. Pat Cummins- Rs 15.5 Crore, Kolkata Knight Riders

Pat Cummins, an Australian bowler, was purchased by the Kolkata franchise in the 2020 IPL auction for a whopping Rs 15.5 crores. Cummins took 12 wickets for KKR and delivered useful lower-order hits, including a quick-fire fifty, in his first season. KKR released the Australian Test captain ahead of the 2023 mini-auction after the 29-year-old chose to withdraw from the upcoming season to be fresh for next year’s Ashes tour.