Top 5 Most Expensive Trades In Indian Premier League History

Indian Premier League (IPL) trade windows provide franchises with a strategic opportunity to strengthen their squads through cash or player exchanges. Over the years, several blockbuster trades have made headlines.

Here are the top five most expensive trade deals in IPL history:

5. Ravichandran Ashwin — PBKS: DC for ₹7.6 crore

Ahead of IPL 2020, Punjab Kings traded off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to Delhi Capitals in a ₹7.6 crore deal. Ashwin had served as Punjab’s captain for two seasons before the team decided to part ways with him. The trade gave Delhi a solid option in the spin department.

4. Lockie Ferguson — GT: KKR for ₹10 crore

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson was traded by Gujarat Titans to Kolkata Knight Riders before IPL 2023 for ₹10 crore. As part of the same transaction, Gujarat also transferred Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz to KKR in a player-swap move. Ferguson had previously impressed with his pace and death bowling.

3. Shardul Thakur — DC: KKR for ₹10.75 crore

Delhi Capitals traded Shardul Thakur to Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2023 for ₹10.75 crore, matching the amount Delhi had paid for him in the 2022 auction. Shardul featured in 11 matches that season, scoring 113 runs and picking up 7 wickets. The trade aimed to bolster KKR’s all-round depth.

2. Hardik Pandya — GT: MI for ₹15 crore

Mumbai Indians made a sensational move by bringing back Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans in a ₹15 crore cash deal. Hardik, who captained Gujarat to their maiden title in 2022, returned to his original franchise in one of the most headline-grabbing transfers in IPL history.

1. Cameron Green — MI: RCB for ₹17.5 crore

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive player in an IPL trade when Mumbai Indians transferred him to Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹17.5 crore ahead of IPL 2024. The high-value trade allowed MI to manage their purse better while RCB gained a top-tier all-round option.

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