Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi during IPL (Source: @iamswapnilvats/X)
The IPL auction is an event where players get their world changed in a matter of minutes. Many players get paid big bucks for their skillset in the auction. The latest examples are of Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, who got picked by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 14.20 crores each in IPL 2026 mini auction.
Having said all this, the auction can be cruel if you don’t perform consistently. Players who get paid tons of money one year may not even get picked by any franchise the next year.
The IPL 2026 mini auction was also similar, where some players got paid a lot while some saw a big dip in their salaries. Here are 5 players who saw their IPL salary go down from the IPL 2025.
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Players Who Took the Biggest Hit
5. Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje (Source: @Kutil_Manthra/X)
South African pacer Anrich Nortje was picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 6.50 crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction. But he had his injury concerns, and he never really looked in full rhythm, which was reflected in his performance. He just played 2 games and picked up only one wicket.
In the latest auction, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) got Nortje for INR 2 crores (his base price). From INR 6.50 crores to INR 2 crores, Norje’s salary dipped INR 4.50 crores, or by 69.23%.
Anrich Nortje in IPL 2025: 2 games, 1 wicket, economy: 11.86.
4. Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer during IPL nets (Source: @KKR_Xtra/X)
Venkatesh Iyer was one of the biggest buys in IPL 2025. Kolkata Knight Riders got the all-rounder for a whopping INR 23.75 crores. Iyer had scored 370 runs in IPL 2024 and played a key role in KKR’s title triumph.
But he failed badly, as he played only 7 games in the last season and didn’t bowl. Retaining Iyer for such a hefty amount would’ve hurt KKR’s purse, and they eventually decided to release him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. He was then picked up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for INR 7 crores. Iyer saw a dip of INR 16.75 crores, or 70.53%.
Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2025: 7 matches, 142 runs, average 20.30, strike rate 139.20, one fifty.
3. Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock (Source: @rishuknight15/X)
South Africa’s wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. They got him for INR 3.60 crores in the 2025 auction. He was expected to do well at the batting-friendly surface at the Eden Gardens, but he failed miserably.
Now the Mumbai Indians, who he has played for before, picked him for INR 1 crore in the recently concluded auction. De Kock played only 8 games in IPL 2025 and played only one good knock of 97. His salary dropped down by INR 2.60 crores, or 72.22%.
Quinton de Kock in IPL 2025: 8 games, 152 runs, average 21.70, strike rate 129.90, one fifty.
2. David Miller
David Miller during an IPL match (Source: @india_fantasy/X)
Delhi Capitals got IPL veteran David Miller for his base price at INR 2 crores. Before that, Miller played for the Lucknow Super Giants, who bought him for INR 7.50 crores.
Miller wasn’t in the best form in IPL 2025, and he didn’t even play all the games for LSG. Miller has been in decent touch in T20s except for the IPL this year, and he fits in perfectly for that finisher’s role for DC. But despite that, the South African batter saw his salary drop down by INR 5.50 crores, or 73.33%.
David Miller in IPL 2025: 10 matches, 153 runs, average 30.60, strike rate 127.50.
1. Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi (Source: @LoyalSachinFan/X)
Rahul Tripathi had a forgettable season in IPL 2025. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought him for INR 3.40 crores ahead of IPL 2025. But he had an abysmal season where he played only 5 games and looked completely out of touch. CSK started with him initially but then later dropped him due to his poor performance.
In the IPL 2026 mini auction, Tripathi was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders (one of his previous franchises) for INR 75 lacs. His salary dropped down by INR 2.65 crores, or 77.94%.
Rahul Tripathi in IPL 2025: 5 matches, 55 runs, average 11, strike rate 96.50.
So, these were the 5 players who were sold for big bucks during the IPL 2025 mega auction but got a significant pay cut in the IPL 2026 mini auction.
