Most expensive player in IPL 2025

In anticipation of the highly anticipated 2025 mega-auction, the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams released their player retention lists on October 31. Franchises have opened their purses to secure their preferred players, with Sunrisers Hyderabad offering substantial sums to retain their top performers from IPL 2024.

While most teams managed to keep their core lineups intact, Punjab Kings took a more conservative approach, retaining only two players. Teams will complete their rosters during the auction scheduled for November or December. Punjab Kings (PBKS) enter with Rs 110.5 crore, putting them in a strong position to bid for top players, while Rajasthan Royals (RR), retaining six key players, have Rs 41 crore remaining for the auction.

Most expensive player in IPL 2025

Heinrich Klaasen is currently the most expensive player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 until the IPL 2025 mega auction takes place. Klaasen had an outstanding previous season, scoring 479 runs in 16 matches at an average of 39.92 and a strike rate of 171.07. He is now the most expensive player ever retained by the franchises; before him, Virat Kohli was retained for INR 17 crore.

Nicholas Pooran from Lucknow Super Giants will earn INR 21 crore. The left-hander has scored over 2,400 runs in T20 cricket in 2024, confirming his status as one of the top players.

In his IPL career, Pooran has played 76 matches, accumulating 1,769 runs with an average of 32.16 and an impressive strike rate of 162.29. The left-handed batter has hit 9 half-centuries, 127 sixes, and 113 fours.

Top four players in the IPL 2025

• Rs 23 crore: Heinrich Klaasen
• Rs 21 crore: Virat Kohli, Nicholas Pooran
• Rs 18 crore: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pat Cummins, Rashid Khan
• Rs 16.5 crore: Axar Patel, Shubman Gill