The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most followed and lucrative league around the world, with cricket fanatics eagerly awaiting the start of the game’s biggest extravaganza every year. The involvement of some of the country’s known business tycoons as owners and superstar cricketers from around the world is the primary reason for the league’s success and its growing viewership every year. That said, we aren’t spared by the question as to which franchise has spent the most amount of money in the 13-years long history of the IPL. In an attempt to answer it, we list down the top 10 franchises, who have spent the most amount of money in the history of IPL in the below piece:
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
One of the perennial underachievers at the IPL, RCB tops the list for spending the most amount of money at the IPL. The franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 8,218, 575,500 and was founded by United Spirits way back in 2008. Having enjoyed overwhelming support at their home ground M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for the last 12 years, RCB are playing most of their matches at the slow wickets of Chennai in the ongoing season of the IPL. The change of venue, though, hasn’t affected their fortunes as they have won both their opening encounters and even topped the points table for the time being.
2. Mumbai Indians (MI)
The most successful IPL franchise, MI comes second on the list for the most amount of money spent at the IPL. The franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 7, 944, 938, 150 and was founded by Mr Mukesh Ambani and his wife Mrs Nita Ambani i.e. Reliance Industries in 2008. The franchise won their maiden title in the year 2013 and since then, the juggernaut hasn’t stopped as MI went onto clinch four more titles, making it 5 trophies in 8 years. Coming into IPL 2021 as defending champions, they are up and running with a win over KKR and look mighty confident to win their 3rd title on the bounce.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
One of the most-loved franchises at the IPL, KKR sits on the third position in terms of the most amount of money spent at the league. The Kolkata-based franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 7,692,973,650 and was founded by Bollywood superstar, Shahrukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment in 2008. Under the captaincy of India’s star southpaw, Gautam Gambhir, the side secured two titles in the year 2012 and 2014 respectively, earning a huge amount of respect in the cricketing circle. That said, it has been a mixed start to their 2021 campaign, who have lost one and won one, necessitating the aspect of consistency for them to go the distance.
4. Delhi Capitals (DC)
The runners-up at the preceding season of the IPL, DC ranks fourth when it comes to the most amount of money spent at the IPL. The franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 7,402,072,422 and was founded by GMR group and JSW group in 2008. Unlike other teams who have enjoyed playing at their home ground, DC hasn’t exactly procured the desired results playing at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Just like KKR, they too have begun IPL 2021 on a bitter-sweet note, losing one and winning one, and it will be fascinating to see how the franchise progresses under the captaincy of a youngster, Rishabh Pant.
5. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
One of the celebrated franchises at the IPL, PBKS come fifth with respect to the most amount of money spent in the history of IPL. The Punjab-based outfit has a gross salary of ₹ 6,865,617,543 and was founded by KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited in 2008. Among all the seasons at the league, 2014 has to be their dream outing, who made it to the final of the tournament under the captaincy of talented Australian batsman, George Bailey. With flamboyant Karnataka batsman, KL Rahul being at the helm for a second consecutive year, PBKS will be hoping to surpass the playoffs hurdle and win their maiden title in 2021, ending their long quest for glory.
6. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
One of the most consistent franchises at the IPL, CSK come sixth in the list for the most amount of money spent in the history of IPL. The Chennai-based franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 6,744,397,500 and was founded by CSK Cricket Limited in 2008. They play their home games at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai and needless to say, have turned it into a fortress, operating with their illustrious group of spinners and wily pacers. The franchise has won 3 titles in the year 2010, 2011 and 2018 respectively under the captaincy of star Indian batsman, MS Dhoni. With this probably being his last year at the IPL, Dhoni will look to win the 4th title for CSK and leave the franchise at an all-time high.
7. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
One of the most underrated franchises featuring at the league, SRH ranks seventh when it comes to the most amount of money spent in the history of IPL. The Hyderabad-based franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 5,566,772,800 and was founded by Mr. Kalanithi Maran i.e. Sun Group in 2012. The franchise plays their home matches at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad and have achieved stellar success there, playing under overwhelming crowd support. SRH won their maiden title in 2016 under the captaincy of star Australian batsman, David Warner and considering their consistency in the last few years, the prospect of them winning their 2nd title cannot be ruled out.
8. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
The winners of the inaugural season of the IPL, RR sit on the eighth position in terms of the most amount of money spent at the league. The Rajasthan-based franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 5,242,929,950 and was founded by Mr Manoj Badale in 2008. Having dominated the proceedings playing at their home ground, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur in IPL 2008, RR lost their plot thereafter, failing to even get near their previous glory. That said, they are led by a young captain, Sanju Samson in the ongoing season of the IPL and if things happen to fall in place like they did in 2008, they may well change their fortunes this time around.
9. Deccan Chargers (DC)
The Chargers rank ninth when it comes to the most amount of money spent in the history of IPL. The franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 1,463,982,100 and was founded by Deccan Chronicle in 2008. DC won their maiden title under the captaincy of Australia’s swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman, Adam Gilchrist in IPL 2009, a tournament which was contested in South Africa. In the following year, they made it to the semi-final stage of the tournament and showcased their consistency playing at the biggest stage. Undoubtedly, the Chargers were one of the most cherished and celebrated franchises in the league.
10. Pune Warriors India (PWI)
This Pune-based franchise is ranked tenth when it comes to the most amount of money spent in the history of IPL. The franchise has a gross salary of ₹ 1,443,445,428 and was founded by Venky in 2010. PWI played their home matches at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai and possessed one of the most star-studded line-ups in the league. BCCI’s current president, Sourav Ganguly was the skipper of the side and the franchise was filled with superstar players like Yuvraj Singh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, Jesse Ryder, Mitch Marsh, to name a few. Despite their presence, PWI couldn’t win a single title and remained one of the underachievers at the IPL.
