Cameron Green Becomes Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL History

Cameron Green Becomes Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL History

Australian allrounder Cameron Green created history at the IPL auction after being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering INR 25.20 crore (approximately US$2.8 million). The deal makes Green the most expensive overseas player ever at an IPL auction and the third most expensive player overall, behind Rishabh Pant (INR 27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crore).

KKR entered the auction with the largest purse of INR 64.30 crore and were forced into a prolonged bidding battle, primarily with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who had the second-biggest purse of INR 43.40 crore. The bidding initially began with Mumbai Indians (MI), but they exited early due to their limited remaining purse of INR 2.75 crore. Rajasthan Royals (RR) pushed the bid up to INR 13.40 crore before pulling out, after which the contest narrowed to KKR and CSK.

The intense bidding for Green lasted over ten minutes before KKR finally secured the Australian allrounder. However, due to the IPL’s maximum salary cap of INR 18 crore for overseas players at mini-auctions, Green will personally receive INR 18 crore, with the excess INR 7.2 crore being transferred to the BCCI’s player welfare fund.

Green was one of only two players sold in the first set of batters, alongside South Africa’s David Miller, who was picked up by Delhi Capitals (DC) at his base price of INR 2 crore. Several high-profile names, including Jake Fraser-McGurk, Prithvi Shaw, Devon Conway and Sarfaraz Khan, went unsold.

The subdued trend continued in the first set of allrounders, with just two of seven players finding buyers. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) signed Wanindu Hasaranga at his base price of INR 2 crore, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) acquired Venkatesh Iyer for INR 7 crore, two seasons after he was bought by KKR for INR 23.75 crore. Liam Livingstone, Rachid Ravindra, Gus Atkinson, Wiaan Mulder and Deepak Hooda remained unsold.

There was comparatively more activity in the wicketkeepers’ set, with MI signing Quinton de Kock, DC picking up Ben Duckett, and KKR securing Finn Allen, all at their respective base prices.

Players Bought at the Auction (So Far):

  • KKR: Cameron Green, Finn Allen

  • LSG: Wanindu Hasaranga

  • DC: David Miller, Ben Duckett

  • RCB: Venkatesh Iyer

  • MI: Quinton de Kock

Several franchises, including CSK, GT, PBKS, RR and SRH, are yet to make purchases as the auction continues.