Several high‑value buys in IPL 2026 have so far underperformed relative to their price tags, turning into “flop” signings in the eyes of fans and analysts.
Top expensive flops so far
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Cameron Green (KKR) – ₹25.20 crore
Bought as the tournament’s most expensive player, Green has scored only 24 runs across 3 matches and hasn’t bowled yet, leaving KKR’s huge investment largely unutilised on the field. -
Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) – ₹18 crore
The Sri Lankan pacer, acquired for a premium price, has not even joined the squad in the initial phase due to fitness/availability issues, so he hasn’t bowled a single over for KKR yet. -
Karthik Sharma (CSK) – ₹14.20 crore
One of the joint‑most‑expensive uncapped players in IPL history, Sharma has managed only 25 runs in 3 innings, failing to justify his record price for CSK. -
Prashant Veer (CSK) – ₹14.20 crore
Another uncapped gamble by CSK, Veer has scored 49 runs in 2 matches, which is decent but far below what is expected from a ₹14.20‑crore‑rated player. -
Liam Livingstone (SRH) – ₹13 crore
SunRisers Hyderabad’s marquee foreign buy has played only one match, contributing just 14 runs, and has not been able to explode the way his price tag demanded.
Why they’re seen as “flops”
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High price vs almost zero output: Green, Pathirana, and Livingstone have contributed little or nothing with either bat or ball so far.
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Uncapped players overperforming expectations: CSK’s duo Karthik Sharma and Prashant Veer, though uncapped, are being judged harshly because their numbers are not matching the “game‑changer” narrative attached to their record‑high bids.
