The Indian Premier League has a history of high-priced players underperforming. The current season, IPL 2025, is no exception. Several big-name players are struggling to make an impact, despite their hefty paychecks.
Big Spenders, Poor Performers
Some of the most expensive players in the league are having a tough time. Rishabh Pant, bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a whopping ₹27 crore, has managed just 110 runs in 10 matches, with an average of 12.22. Venkatesh Iyer, who cost Kolkata Knight Riders ₹23.75 crore, has also disappointed. He has scored 142 runs at an average of 20.29 and hasn’t bowled much this season. Other players like Rinku Singh and Andre Russell from KKR are also not living up to expectations. Rinku Singh, with a ₹13 crore salary, has scored 169 runs in 10 matches and often fails to finish games for KKR. Andre Russell, earning ₹12 crore, has only managed 72 runs and taken 8 wickets.
Other teams have also made costly mistakes. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) paid ₹8.75 crore for Liam Livingstone, but he hasn’t delivered. He has scored 87 runs and taken just 2 wickets. Ravindra Jadeja, retained by Chennai Super Kings for ₹18 crore, hasn’t been a game-changer either. He has taken 7 wickets and scored 183 runs. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bought Mohammad Shami for ₹10 crore, but he has only managed 6 wickets.
These players are not just underperforming; they are also among the highest-paid in the league. Their total salaries add up to over ₹100 crore, making their lack of performance a costly affair for their respective teams. The teams that have invested heavily in these players are likely to feel the pinch, especially if they don’t make it to the playoffs or win the championship.
- Rishabh Pant: ₹27 crore – 110 runs in 10 matches
- Venkatesh Iyer: ₹23.75 crore – 142 runs in 10 matches
- Rinku Singh: ₹13 crore – 169 runs in 10 matches
- Andre Russell: ₹12 crore – 72 runs, 8 wickets
- Liam Livingstone: ₹8.75 crore – 87 runs, 2 wickets
- Ravindra Jadeja: ₹18 crore – 183 runs, 7 wickets
- Mohammad Shami: ₹10 crore – 6 wickets
These numbers show that even big names can’t guarantee success in the IPL. Teams need to be careful when making big investments in players.