Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been one of the IPL auction history’s most lively franchises, always selecting first-class players as a means of fortifying their roster. The most expensive player of each year from 2008 to now has marked their changing game plan and their aspirations in the IPL.
Early Big Buys Set the Tone (2008–2014)
The highest purchasing rate for PBKS in the first auction was Irfan Pathan at ₹3.8 crore, which was basically the starting wave for the future auctions. In 2014, the team spent big around ₹6.5 crore on the Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. This team has a habit of investing a lot in the best players continuing through the late 2010s and early 2020s, with the likes of KL Rahul being bought in 2018 for ₹11 crore and Glenn Maxwell in 2020 for ₹10.75 crore.
Record-Breaking Buys in Recent Years
As per the reports, in the past few years have witnessed even more buys that broke the previous records. ₹14 crore was the cost set for Jhye Richardson in 2021, followed by the ₹11.5 crore bid for England’s Liam Livingstone and ₹18.5 crore for Sam Curran in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The biggest splash from the franchise was in the 2025 auction, where they bought India’s Shreyas Iyer for a stunning ₹26.75 crore, indicating their desire to create an unbeatable future lineup.
PBKS’ Auction Philosophy and Rising Investments
The auction history of PBKS shows a plan that mixes the well-seasoned and the international with the very young and local upcoming stars, capturing their desire for domination in the IPL over the long term. This year-by-year list shows the players PBKS has spent the most on, which also shows how much their money for buy-in has grown with the increasing popularity and commercial value of the league. As IPL 2026 gets closer, everyone’s attention will be on the Punjab Kings to see who their next big purchase will be.
DISCLAIMER- This is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is sourced from various authentic sources.
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