IPL 2025: Here’s How The 5 Costliest Players Have Performed So Far

As IPL 2025 rolls into its high-stakes midseason phase, the pressure on the league’s most expensive acquisitions has hit fever pitch. In a tournament where every over can define a season, franchises gambled big at the auction and in retentions, hoping that marquee signings would deliver game-changing performances.

Now, with each team having played eight matches, the spotlight turns to those who came with the heaviest price tags. Have they lived up to the astronomical figures? Have they tilted games in their team’s favor, or buckled under the weight of expectation?

Let’s dive into the performances of the top five costliest players in IPL 2025—and assess who’s justified the investment and who’s turning into a cautionary tale.

5. Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS) – ₹18 Crore

Matches: 8
Wickets: 9
Best Bowling: 4/28
Economy Rate: 9.30

When Punjab Kings shelled out a staggering ₹18 crore for Yuzvendra Chahal at the 2025 mega auction, it raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. PBKS clearly wanted to strengthen their spin department with experience and a proven wicket-taker—and on paper, Chahal fit the bill perfectly.

However, the returns so far have been a mixed bag. While Chahal has delivered sparks of brilliance—especially his match-winning spell of 4/28—his overall performance has lacked the consistency expected from a player of his stature and price. An economy rate hovering above 9 isn’t helping, especially in the middle overs where control and containment are key.

Chahal’s variations still trouble batters, but he’s often been expensive at crucial moments, leaking runs when PBKS needed calm. The biggest concern is his predictability under pressure, with batters targeting him strategically when the field is spread.

Verdict: Chahal’s presence has added value to the bowling unit, but PBKS will be banking on a more consistent and economical second half if they are to stay in playoff contention.

4. Arshdeep Singh (PBKS – Retained) – ₹18 Crore

Matches: 8
Wickets: 11
Best Bowling: 3/43
Economy Rate: 8.62

Unlike Chahal, Arshdeep Singh has largely lived up to expectations. Retained for a hefty ₹18 crore ahead of the auction, the left-arm pacer has shouldered the responsibility of spearheading the PBKS pace attack. And he’s done that with admirable grit and impact.

With 11 wickets in 8 matches, Arshdeep has been one of the most effective pacers in the tournament. His ability to swing the ball early and deliver pinpoint yorkers in the death overs makes him a valuable asset. While his economy could be tighter, it’s worth noting that Arshdeep often bowls the hardest overs—upfront in the powerplay and then again in the closing stages.

What stands out is his maturity. He’s shown the temperament to bounce back from poor overs, and has been PBKS’s go-to bowler in crunch moments. A couple of standout performances have even swung games in his team’s favor.

Verdict: Arshdeep has justified his retention fee with match-winning spells and fearless death bowling. He’s been a rare bright spot in an inconsistent PBKS campaign.

3. Venkatesh Iyer (KKR) – ₹23.75 Crore

Matches: 8
Runs: 135
Highest Score: 60
Average: 22.50
50s: 1

When KKR broke their bank to sign Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore—making him the most expensive signing in the franchise’s history—expectations were sky-high. But so far, Iyer’s campaign has been riddled with missed opportunities and frustrating inconsistency.

In eight games, the southpaw has mustered just 135 runs at a below-par average of 22.50. While a solitary fifty gave a fleeting glimpse of his hitting ability, the rest of his innings have been forgettable. His shot selection has been questionable, his strike rotation poor, and his struggles against spin glaringly visible.

KKR hoped he would be their enforcer at the top, someone who could replicate his 2021 heroics. Instead, Iyer has looked out of rhythm, often bogging down the innings when acceleration was needed. This inconsistency has hurt KKR’s powerplay starts and left a hole in their batting blueprint.

Verdict: One of the biggest disappointments of IPL 2025 so far. Unless Iyer stages a dramatic turnaround, his massive price tag could haunt KKR’s auction strategy for years.

2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – ₹26.75 Crore

Matches: 8
Runs: 263
Highest Score: 97*
Average: 43.83
50s: 3

Shreyas Iyer has been one of the rare expensive buys who has delivered exactly what was expected—and then some. Snapped up by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore and handed the captaincy reins, Iyer has combined astute leadership with consistent run-scoring.

With 263 runs at an impressive average of 43.83—including three fifties and a sublime unbeaten 97*—Shreyas has been the glue of PBKS’s batting. Whether it’s absorbing pressure in tricky situations or anchoring chases, he’s stepped up with calmness and clarity.

More importantly, his captaincy has been sharp. Field placements, bowling changes, and reading match situations have all shown a matured cricketing brain. While PBKS has had an up-and-down season, Shreyas’s individual form has been a standout constant.

Verdict: A price tag that’s fully justified. Shreyas Iyer has delivered as both a batter and a leader—exactly what Punjab Kings needed.

1. Rishabh Pant (LSG) – ₹27 Crore

Matches: 8
Runs: 106
Highest Score: 63
Average: 15.14
50s: 1

The highest-paid player of IPL 2025, Rishabh Pant entered the season amidst immense hype—and emotional anticipation after his return from injury. But as the dust settles after eight games, the harsh reality is clear: Pant’s performance has been underwhelming, to say the least.

With only 106 runs and one half-century to his name, the LSG skipper has looked a shadow of his old self. His explosive strokeplay has been missing, and his timing has deserted him in key moments. What’s more concerning is the visible lack of confidence—something rarely associated with Pant.

His batting slump has also affected his captaincy. Questions are being raised about his decision-making under pressure, and the team looks rudderless at times. For someone bought at ₹27 crore, Pant was supposed to be LSG’s heartbeat. Instead, he’s turned into a weak link.

Verdict: So far, a massive disappointment. If Pant doesn’t turn things around quickly, he risks being remembered as one of the costliest flops in IPL history.

High Stakes, Higher Pressure

The IPL auction is not just about money—it’s about trust, strategy, and vision. Every crore spent is a signal of belief from a franchise, and with that comes immense pressure. As we’ve seen, only a couple of these top-dollar players—Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh—have truly delivered so far.

For the others, especially the likes of Venkatesh Iyer and Rishabh Pant, the second half of IPL 2025 could define not only their tournament but their reputations as big-game players. Chahal, too, remains in the spotlight—his experience needs to translate into match-winning consistency.

With the business end of the league fast approaching, fans and franchises alike will be hoping that these high-profile names justify their weight in gold—or at the very least, in runs and wickets.

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