Over the years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a great deal of player trades. These trades have altered the way teams play and have given fans plenty to discuss. For anyone who might not be aware, the IPL trade window functions like a transfer market.
It enables franchises to swap players before the auction takes place. Consequently, all 10 IPL teams get a chance to strengthen their squads based on their needs. Moreover, IPL franchises can let go of players who no longer suit their plans and bring in new players who can contribute better to the team’s strategy.
So today, we look at the top five trades in IPL.
Here are the top 5 trades in IPL history:
5. Cameron Green—MI to RCB
Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) acquired Cameron Green from Mumbai Indians in an all-cash trade for INR 17.50 Cr. This was the largest single-player trade/transfer sum in IPL trading history. Green had an amazing outing in his first IPL season in 2023, scoring 452 runs with one century and two fifties with a strike rate of 160.28.
RCB was getting a big-hitting batter who could play in top order and also bowl in the middle overs. However, he managed only 255 runs without a century of a fifty, but he did take 10 wickets. Green was released before the IPL 2025 season, as he missed the season due to a back surgery.
4. Shikhar Dhawan—SRH to DC
Shikhar Dhawan was having a very good time in Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 501, 479, and 497 runs in IPL 2016-2018. However, there were some issues between Dhawan and SRH management, leading to India opener being traded to Delhi Capitals before IPL 2019. SRH got Abhishek Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, and Vijay Shankar in return.
Dhawan went on to have a very good three seasons with DC, scoring 521, 618, and 587 runs, including becoming the first-ever batter in the IPL in the 2020 season. It was a wonderful time for both Dhawan and Delhi Capitals, but when management changed in DC, Dhawan was released before IPL 2022, moved to Punjab Kings, and finished his IPL career there.
3. Hardik Pandya to PBKS; Arshdeep Singh to MI
One of the biggest player trades in IPL 2026 happened when Hardik Pandya, star all-rounder, was traded by the Mumbai Indians to the Punjab Kings. In return, MI got pacer Arshdeep Singh from PBKS. Both the players were traded for the same sum of money—INR 18 crores.
Hardik Pandya’s time with Mumbai Indians as captain was not a good one. MI made it into playoffs only once, while finishing 10th and 9th in the other two seasons. Pandya’s personal performance also declined with clashes with MI management and no support from fellow players. Arshdeep Singh was also reportedly not happy with PBKS management over some issues, and it proved to be a good trade for both teams.
2. Sanju Samson to CSK; Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR
One of the biggest trades before the IPL 2025 season was when Sanju Samson moved from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings, who traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR. Samson received INR 18 crores, while Jadeja got INR 14 crores, and Curran was paid INR 2.40 crs.
With Riyan Parag rising to prominence in RR, Samson knew his time in the franchise was up and CSK was in need of a keeper to replace MS Dhoni and an Indian opener, while RR needed all-rounders. Ravindra Jadeja knew his time in CSK was up with MS Dhoni stepping down as captain and moved home to RR.
1. Hardik Pandya—GT to MI
Hardik Pandya had been picked by Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 auction and took them to the title win the same season. Pandya then captained GT to the final in IPL 2023 as well, and it was thought that the all-rounder would make his own empire in his home franchise in Gujarat. However, MI lured him with the promise of captaincy before IPL 2024, and he took the bait.
He was named captain, replacing uber-popular Rohit Sharma in a controversial decision. Pandya was booed even in Mumbai by the home crowd, and he didn’t find support from a few MI players in the dressing room, as many felt Rohit should’ve continued as captain for one more year. MI making it into the playoffs only once in three seasons under Hardik Pandya didn’t bode well for him as well.
