All-cash trades can help IPL franchises free up purse space and address specific squad requirements. However, some decisions have proved costly, with players moving to rival teams and delivering performances that their former franchises would have hoped to get from them.

Franchises are preparing for the retention deadline on November 17, and the IPL 2027 mini-auction is scheduled to take place on December 16 in Goa. As teams assess their squads, here is a look at three all-cash deals that proved costly for the franchises that released the players.

Top 3 Worst All-Cash Trades in IPL History

3. Trent Boult: Delhi Capitals to Mumbai Indians (2020)

Loser- DC

Delhi Capitals had a strong overseas pace attack ahead of the 2020 IPL season, with Kagiso Rabada leading the bowling unit and Anrich Nortje joining as a replacement. The management decided to trade the New Zealand pacer to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal.

Mumbai were looking for a quality left-arm fast bowler to partner Jasprit Bumrah, and Boult proved to be an excellent addition. After taking five wickets in five matches for Delhi in 2019, he enjoyed a remarkable 2020 season in the UAE, claiming 25 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 7.97.

Boult also made a major impact in the powerplay, taking 16 wickets in the first six overs, the most by any bowler in the tournament. He and Bumrah formed one of the most effective opening bowling combinations in the competition.

Boult troubled his former franchise throughout the season, helping Mumbai beat Delhi in all four encounters. He also delivered a match-winning performance in the 2020 final, taking 3/30 and dismissing Marcus Stoinis on the first ball of the innings before removing Ajinkya Rahane.

Mumbai went on to win the final and secure their fifth IPL title, while Delhi missed out on their maiden championship. Boult was also named Player of the Match for his performance in the final.

2. Harshal Patel and Daniel Sams: Delhi Capitals to RCB (2021)

Loser- DC

Delhi Capitals had Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma and Avesh Khan among their options ahead of the 2021 season. Harshal Patel struggled to get regular opportunities in the setup, playing only five matches in the 2020 season and taking three wickets at an average of 46.33.

Delhi decided to trade Harshal and Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an all-cash deal to free up purse space and make room for other squad options. While Sams did not make a significant impact for RCB, the decision to let Harshal go proved costly.

Harshal had a sensational campaign with RCB, claiming 32 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 14.34. He finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker and won the Purple Cap, along with the Tournament MVP award.

His slower balls and variations made him particularly effective in the final overs. He also took a memorable five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians, finishing with figures of 5/27.

1. Quinton de Kock: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Mumbai Indians (2019)

Loser- RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a costly decision ahead of the 2019 IPL season by trading Quinton de Kock to Mumbai Indians. The franchise wanted to strengthen its middle order and believed that Parthiv Patel could replace the South African.

RCB also wanted to free up purse space to sign Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer. De Kock had scored 201 runs at a strike rate of 124.07 in the 2018 season, and the franchise considered his ₹2.8 crore salary too expensive for his returns.

However, the decision backfired as De Kock became one of Mumbai's most consistent performers. He scored 529 runs at a strike rate of 132.91 in the 2019 season, followed by 503 runs at 140.50 in 2020. The opener played a key role in Mumbai winning consecutive IPL titles.

In comparison, Hetmyer managed only 90 runs in five matches during the 2019 season before being dropped. The player RCB had released to create room for their new signings ended up becoming an important part of Mumbai's successful campaign.