Ben Stokes is the most expensive CSK player in IPL history, signed for ₹16.25 crore in the 2022 auction. Chennai Super Kings have made several big signings over the years, yet none of them come even close to the price they paid for the Englishman’s services in 2022.
Chennai Super Kings have built their IPL success on smart, but not high-value, auction buys. They are not a team you expect to break their purse on a particular player. Their formula has been simple: experience and intent.
Yet, over the years, there have been some exceptions to this rule. There have been times when CSK has gone all out to acquire all-rounders who they know are certain match winners. These players are power hitters and versatile bowlers who fit the conditions at Chepauk and complement the team’s balanced core.
So, let’s take a look at some of CSK’s most expensive players.
CSK’s most expensive player 2025 Updated
For Chennai Super Kings, you have to be a three-dimensional player to earn the big bucks. And this is evident from the most valuable player list. These players, mostly, are all-rounders who can contribute in more than one facet of the game.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes — widely regarded as one of the world’s premier all-rounders — became the most expensive CSK player in 2023. Known for a potent combination of aggressive batting, improved bowling, and match-winning credentials across formats. That pedigree convinced CSK to shell out ₹16.25 crore for him in the 2023 auction, making him the most expensive CSK buy ever.
However, his debut season for Chennai did not live up to expectations. Stokes featured in just two matches, scoring a total of 15 runs. His limited opportunities, coupled with an injury (toe injury, reportedly), meant he was largely unable to contribute.
As a result, his stint with CSK passed without meaningful impact. Though billed as a marquee buy, his injury woes and absence from key games meant CSK never got to fully capitalise on his all-round abilities.
Prashant Veer
The young 20-year-old Indian all-rounder, became a part of the elite list of most expensive CSK players in the Mini auction in 2025, when Chennai Super Kings bid 14.2 crore rupees for him. This doesn’t just how his prowess as a player but also how CSK are stepping away from their philosophies to ensure results.
CSK are traditionally conservative at auctions, especially when it comes to uncapped players, but Veer represented a profile that simply does not surface often — a bowling-first left-arm spin all-rounder with proven T20 impact.
His domestic performances showed sustained control through the middle overs, combined with the ability to finish innings in short bursts. That combination aligned closely with CSK’s long-standing preference for role clarity and tactical reliability.
Kartik Sharma
Kartik Sharma’s inclusion among CSK’s most expensive buys stands out precisely because it runs counter to the franchise’s historical preference for experience over youth. At just 19, he became one of the costliest uncapped players in IPL history, a decision driven not by promise alone but by an unusually strong domestic résumé across formats.
Unlike many age-group signings, Kartik arrived with first-class hundreds, a prolific List A season, and evidence of finishing ability in T20 cricket. CSK’s scouting process identified not just his strokeplay but his composure and adaptability, traits the franchise values as non-negotiable.
The investment was less about immediate returns and more about securing a long-term wicketkeeper-batter capable of growing into responsibility. For CSK, spending big on a teenager was a rare move — but one backed by numbers, temperament, and a clear development pathway.
Daryl Mitchell
Daryl Mitchell is the second-highest-paid CSK player in IPL history. He is a modern-style middle-order batter with the ability to dispatch spin, rotate strike, and provide occasional overs — attributes highly valued by CSK, especially given the spin-friendly nature of their home ground. Ahead of the 2024 season, CSK invested ₹14 crore to secure him, betting on his recent form and all-round potential.
Through this move, CSK wanted to add depth and flexibility to their squad. But the move didn’t live up to the billing, as Mitchell failed to get going in the IPL 2024.
In the 15 games that he played for the side, he could only muster 351 runs at a strike rate of 131 and an average of 27. Furthermore, only 10 sixes and 28 fours came off his bat, and there was no real contribution with the ball in hand as well, leading to another failed high ticket move.
Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar has become synonymous with CSK since their return in 2018. He was the front-line pacer for the MSD-led side that won the 2018 title and came up second best in 2019.
Although he struggled in 2020 with injuries, his return in style with another title in 2021 made it certain that CSK will back him no matter what. Hence, when his name showed up in the 2022 auction, everyone knew that CSK would go for him.
In the 2022 mega auction, CSK paid ₹14 crore to bring him back, marking him the franchise’s priciest Indian signing ever (at that time). However, things didn’t go well for him, as he was ruled out due to an injury.
He returned to the squad in 2023, another title-winning season with 10 wickets in 13 games, but the impact was just not the same. 2024 was the same story for Chahar, as he continued to struggle with injuries and could only feature in 8 games, taking five wickets. He was released in 2025.
Noor Ahmad
The latest addition to the list of CSK’s most expensive players is Noor Ahmed. In the 2025 mega auction, CSK paid ₹10 crore to acquire Afghan left-arm wrist-spinner. What attracted CSK was his “chinaman” style — a rare, high-value spin bowling variation that can generate sharp turn and deceptive wrist-spin on Indian pitches.
His 2025 season validated that investment. In just 14 matches for CSK, Noor emerged as their leading wicket-taker: he picked up 24 wickets, the second-highest haul in the entire tournament. A standout moment came in a match at Chepauk, where he scalped 4 for 18 against the Mumbai Indians — dismantling their middle order and steering CSK to a crucial win.
Given his age, skill set, and immediate impact, Noor looks more like a long-term asset than a one-season gamble. By delivering consistently under pressure, he strengthened CSK’s spin attack, offering a potent middle-overs wicket tally, something vital on turning Indian tracks.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, the Cricket Thalapathy of CSK, is one of the most expensive CSK players. Back in 2012, CSK paid ₹9.8 crore for him, at a time when that was a significant investment. The fee reflected his promise as a match-winner in all departments.
Over the years, Jadeja delivered consistently: contributing with the bat in the middle order, turning games with his left-arm spin, and often turning pressure into wickets. His longevity with CSK, spanning more than a decade, speaks volumes about his long-term impact.
He played a key role in multiple title-winning campaigns, becoming one of the franchise’s most dependable and balanced core players. However, the most memorable of them all will always be the final in Ahmedabad against the Gujarat Titans, in which he scored 10 off two balls in the last over to win his side the historic fifth title.
Krishnappa Gowtham
Krishnappa Gowtham was CSK’s surprise pick at the IPL 2021 auction. The team spent over 9.25 crores to bring him on board. Krishna is known for his sharp off-spin bowling and useful lower-order batting. But despite all the hype, Krishna couldn’t justify the expectations built around him. He has played 35 T20 matches and picked up 21 wickets. However, it’s also true that he didn’t get enough opportunities to prove his potential in this tournament yet.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali has been associated with CSK since 2021. Previously, he regularly played for RCB. In 2021, Moeen was bought by CSK for Rs. 8 crores. Moeen Ali proved his mettle out in the middle during the IPL 2021 season for CSK, scoring 357 runs and picking up 6 crucial wickets, helping men-in-yellow bounce back at crucial times.
In the last three seasons, the English allrounder has turned into someone who is indispensable. He has been the backbone of the middle order of CSK’s batting lineup. He has the capacity to play the game according to the requirements of the situation. He will score at pace when the opposition is at the top, but when the chips are down, he will look to sail out the turmoiled time and then take his chances.
Ali has scored a total of 725 runs for CSK in the last three seasons. Apart from that, he has also managed to claim 23 wickets to his name, making him one of the most valuable assets to the team.
Kedar Jadhav 7.8 crores (2018)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought Kedar Jadhav for 7.8 crores in the IPL 2018 auction. In that season, the player sustained a very grave injury in the very first game he featured. Although he won the game for his team, he was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
Chennai went on to win that tournament, but Jadhav didn’t make a comeback to the side. Though Kedar is immensely talented, unfortunately, he couldn’t perform consistently well in this hyper-competitive championship. Jadhav played in 95 IPL matches, scoring over 1200+ runs and four fifties to his credit.
Andrew Flintoff 7.5 crores (2008)
Former English skipper Andrew Flintoff played only one IPL season, and he was the most expensive pick for his side. CSK paid a huge sum of money amounting to Rs. 7.5 crores to bring him to the squad, but Flintoff didn’t play much in that season due to injury. Following this season, he announced his retirement from the IPL.
FAQ
Who is the most expensive player in CSK history?
Ben Stokes remains the most expensive player ever bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was acquired for ₹ 16.25 crore in the 2023 auction.
Who is CSK’s most expensive Indian player?
Deepak Chahar holds that distinction: he was bought by CSK for ₹ 14.00 crore in the 2022 auction — making him the most expensive Indian player that CSK has spent on.
Who was CSK’s costliest signing in 2023?
In the 2023 auction, CSK’s costliest signing was again Ben Stokes at ₹ 16.25 crore.
Who could be CSK’s most expensive player in 2025?
As of now, no 2025 auction has yet confirmed a signing that surpasses Ben Stokes’s ₹ 16.25 crore mark. The most expensive CSK buy in 2025 (so far) remains Noor Ahmad, purchased for ₹ 10.00 crore.
