RCB’s most expensive players at each IPL Auction: From Kevin Pietersen to Yuvraj Singh

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction is just around the corner, and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will once again be in the spotlight. After winning their maiden IPL title in 2025 under the captaincy of Rajat Patidar, RCB will enter the auction with renewed confidence and determination to build a stronger unit. The franchise, known for its star-studded lineups and bold bidding decisions, is expected to make some aggressive and strategic moves in the upcoming auction.

Over the years, RCB has earned a reputation for splurging big bucks on marquee players. From signing global icons like Kevin Pietersen and Yuvraj Singh to investing heavily in international all-rounders such as Kyle Jamieson and Chris Morris, the franchise has always aimed to strike a perfect balance between flair and firepower. Ahead of the 2026 auction, let’s revisit RCB’s most expensive buys in every IPL season since its inception.

RCB’s auction history has been filled with marquee names and headline-making bids. Their first big splash came in 2009 when they signed Pietersen for INR 9.8 crore, making him the most expensive player of that season. The English superstar even led the side briefly, but his tenure was short-lived.

The 2014 auction saw RCB shatter records by spending INR 14 crore on Yuvraj, who was coming off a stellar World T20 campaign. Although Yuvraj performed decently, RCB released him the following year, marking one of the most debated moves in IPL history.

In 2017, they turned heads again by investing INR 12 crore in English pacer Tymal Mills, hoping to fill the void left by Mitchell Starc. Similarly, in 2021, RCB made headlines by acquiring Jamieson for a whopping INR 15 crore, their highest bid ever at the time.

The franchise continued to back all-rounders and impact players like Shane Watson, Morris, and Wanindu Hasaranga, showing a clear strategy of investing in multi-dimensional cricketers who could deliver across formats.

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