Sanju Samson record-breaking ₹18 crore trade to Chennai Super Kings has officially changed IPL history, rewriting the list of the most expensive trade deals ever made.
With the IPL 2026 mini-auction approaching and franchises reshuffling their squads, the trade window has produced some of the costliest and most dramatic player moves the league has ever seen.
From Sanju Samson’s ₹18 crore blockbuster to Cameron Green’s ₹17.5 crore switch, here is the updated and final list of the Top 10 Biggest Cash Trade Deals in IPL History, based entirely on verified trade values and franchise announcements.
Top 10 Most Expensive Cash Trades in IPL History
| Rank | Player | From | To | Value | Year | Deal Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson | RR | CSK | ₹18 Cr | 2025 | Swap + Cash Value |
| 2 | Cameron Green | MI | RCB | ₹17.5 Cr | 2023 | All-Cash |
| 3 | Hardik Pandya | GT | MI | ₹15 Cr | 2023 | All-Cash |
| 4 | Shardul Thakur | DC | KKR | ₹10.75 Cr | 2022 | Swap + Cash |
| 5 | Lockie Ferguson | GT | KKR | ₹10 Cr | 2022 | Player Swap |
| 6 | Avesh Khan | LSG | RR | ₹10 Cr | 2023 | Player Swap |
| 7 | Mohammed Shami | SRH | LSG | ₹10 Cr | 2025 | All-Cash |
| 8 | Nitish Rana | RR | DC | ₹4.2 Cr | 2025 | All-Cash |
| 9 | Rutherford | GT | MI | ₹2.6 Cr | 2025 | All-Cash |
| 10 | Shardul Thakur | LSG | MI | ₹2 Cr | 2025 | All-Cash |
1. Sanju Samson – RR to CSK (₹18 Crore, Year: 2025) – Most Expensive Trade Ever
Sanju Samson’s move from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is officially the biggest trade in IPL history.
Trade Details:
- To CSK: Sanju Samson
- To RR: Ravindra Jadeja + Sam Curran
- Cash Valuation: ₹18 crore (Samson’s trade value)
- First time a captain and two star all-rounders were exchanged in one mega deal.
This trade overtook Cameron Green’s record and created a historic moment in franchise cricket.
Also see: RR IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List
2. Cameron Green – MI to RCB (₹17.5 Crore, Year: 2023)
Before Samson’s transfer, Cameron Green held the record as the most expensive trade ever.
Trade Details:
- To RCB: Cameron Green
- To MI: All-cash transfer
- Value: ₹17.5 crore
The move reinforced RCB’s middle order and added a pace-bowling all-rounder to their squad.
Also see: MI IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List
3. Hardik Pandya – GT to MI (₹15 Crore, Year: 2023)
One of the most discussed trades in IPL history.
Trade Details:
- To MI: Hardik Pandya
- To GT: All-cash trade
- Value: ₹15 crore
Hardik returned to Mumbai as a leader, making it both an emotional and strategic move for MI.
Also see: GT IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List
4. Shardul Thakur – DC to KKR (₹10.75 Crore, Year: 2022)
Shardul Thakur became one of the most expensive Indian all-rounder trades.
Trade Details:
- To KKR: Shardul Thakur
- To DC: Aman Khan (swap)
- Cash Value: ₹10.75 crore
His ability to break partnerships and hit lower-order runs justified his high trade value.
Also see: KKR IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List
5. Lockie Ferguson – GT to KKR (₹10 Crore, Year: 2022)
A pure pace-power acquisition.
Trade Details:
- To KKR: Lockie Ferguson
- To GT: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Cash Value: ₹10 crore
Ferguson’s raw 150 km/h pace made him a prime trade target.
Also see: CSK IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List
6. Avesh Khan – LSG to RR (₹10 Crore, Year: 2023 for 2024 season)
One of the biggest Indian fast bowler trade deals.
Trade Details:
- To RR: Avesh Khan
- To LSG: Devdutt Padikkal
- Cash Value: ₹10 crore (Avesh’s trade valuation)
RR strengthened their pace attack, while LSG gained a top-order batsman.
Also see: RCB IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List
7. Mohammed Shami – SRH to LSG (₹10 Crore, Year: 2025) (2026 Window)
A major all-cash deal in the latest window.
Trade Details:
- To LSG: Mohammed Shami
- To SRH: ₹10 crore (cash deal)
Shami’s experience, new-ball control, and IPL pedigree made him a premium pick.
Also see: SRH IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players list
8. Nitish Rana – RR to DC (₹4.2 Crore, Year: 2025)
A strategic trade to boost Delhi Capitals’ middle order.
Trade Details:
- To DC: Nitish Rana
- To RR: ₹4.2 crore (cash)
DC targeted Rana for his left-hand stability and finishing ability.
Also see: DC IPL 2026: Retained & Released Players List
9. Sherfane Rutherford – GT to MI (₹2.6 Crore, Year: 2025)
A pure budget-friendly power-hitter addition.
Trade Details:
- To MI: Rutherford
- To GT: ₹2.6 crore
A move for improving MI’s middle-order strike rate.
Don’t Miss: IPL 2026 Released Players List: Full Round‑up by Team Ahead of Mini Auction
10. Shardul Thakur – LSG to MI (₹2 Crore, Year: 2025) (2026 Window)
This is Shardul’s second appearance in the Top 10 list.
Trade Details:
- To MI: Shardul Thakur
- To LSG: ₹2 crore
MI added depth to their Indian bowling unit with this tactical trade.
Why Cash Trade Deals Matter More Today
✔ Rising Player Values
Teams now pay auction-level prices even outside auctions.
✔ Strategic Squad Balancing
Franchises fix weaknesses without entering bidding wars.
✔ Player Consent & Stability
Trades now require full agreement from all players involved.
✔ Fan Impact
Big trades cause massive hype, trending topics, and emotional reactions.
Final Words
From Sanju Samson’s record ₹18 crore transfer to Hardik Pandya’s emotional return to MI, and from Cameron Green’s ₹17.5 crore blockbuster to Shami’s 2026 move, IPL trade history shows how the league has evolved into one of the world’s most advanced sporting markets.
Cash trades have now become as dramatic as auctions — and with the IPL 2026 window heating up, even bigger trades may be waiting in the wings.
