Top 5 Most expensive benched players in IPL history. (Photo source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The auction of the Indian Premier League often witnesses franchises spending a big sum of money to secure players. However, not every expensive signing finds a regular place in the playing line-up. Over the years, many cricketers have surprisingly warmed the bench despite their hefty pay cheques. Factors such as poor form, constant injuries, and team combination frequently lead franchises to sideline these players.

In some cases, big overseas names struggle to fit into the four-foreign-player rule, while at times Indian stars fail to deliver the expected impact after being bought for massive sums. As a result, teams prefer more in-form options, leaving marquee signings watching from the dugout. 

Here are 5 most expensive players in IPL history who were benched 5. Tim David: 2022
Tim David (Photo Source: Twitter)

Australian all-rounder Tim David, who was bought by the Mumbai Indians for INR 8.25 crore in the IPL 2022 auction, played in only two of their first seven matches. With scores of 12 and 1, the Australian power-hitter was dropped early as MI had the worst start to an IPL season with seven straight losses.

With the likes of Kieron Pollard, overseas fast bowlers, and South African teen Dewald Brevis in the fray, David was kept out of the XI despite his solid PSL form, where he hit 278 runs at a strike rate of 194. He eventually ended the season, featuring in eight games and scoring 186 runs. His absence had surprised former players like Wasim Jaffer and Graeme Swann, who questioned Mumbai’s decision to bench such an expensive recruit.

4. T. Natarajan: 2025

Left-arm seamer T. Natarajan in IPL 2025 was bought by Delhi Capitals for a whopping INR 10.75 crore, but they used him in only one match. DC began the season well under Axar Patel, winning six of their first eight games, but a poor second half saw them finish fifth. Throughout the slump, many repeatedly questioned Natarajan’s absence, especially given his death-overs skills.

Head coach Hemang Badani later clarified that the left-arm pacer was not benched but injured, still recovering from shoulder and fitness issues that had kept him out of competitive cricket since 2024. Despite limited game time and bowling just three overs all season, the Delhi Capitals decided to retain the 34-year-old ahead of IPL 2026. With a lack of quality Indian pacers available in the mini auction and the potential of forming a strong death-overs duo with Mitchell Starc, DC continue to back Natarajan.

3. Glenn Maxwell: 2013
Glenn Maxwell. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Glenn Maxwell’s IPL career began with huge expectations in 2013 when the Mumbai Indians bought him for USD 1 million. However, despite the talk around his signing, Maxwell barely got opportunities that season. He featured in only three matches, scoring 36 runs at a strike rate of 133.33, and spent most of the tournament warming the bench. 

Mumbai's star-studded line-up led to Maxwell being often sidelined, unable to display the player he would later become famous for. Yet, this start did little to affect how teams viewed his potential. The following year, he was picked by Kings XI Punjab and immediately justified the hype with a sensational season.

2. Mohammed Shami: 2025
Mohammed Shami. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Veteran Indian seamer Mohammed Shami returned from injury in IPL 2025 but struggled to find his form. After missing the entire 2024 season, Shami was expected to strengthen Sunrisers Hyderabad’s pace attack, especially after being bought for INR 10 crore at the mega-auction. However, the 35-year-old managed only nine matches, taking six wickets at an average of 56.16 and an economy of 11.23. His dip in pace led to him being benched for the latter half of the season.

The tough year eventually impacted his international prospects as well, with Shami not being recalled to the Indian team. With SRH uncertain about retaining him, a fresh opportunity opened up as Lucknow Super Giants completed an all-cash trade for the veteran pacer ahead of IPL 2026. 

1. Chris Morris: 2020
Chris Morris. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Despite being bought for a whopping INR 10 crore at the IPL 2020 auction, South African all-rounder Chris Morris ended up having a quiet season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB invested heavily in him to strengthen their death bowling, but a side strain delayed his debut and eventually the majority of his season.

While Morris eventually featured in a handful of matches, he never got an extended run and spent most of the season on the bench due to constant fitness concerns and team combination changes. Despite the franchise qualifying for the playoffs, Morris featured in only nine games, picking 11 wickets and scoring 34 runs.