Are IPL price tags a hindrance for players? Steyn reacts using Hardik Pandya example

There is always a conversation around the IPL about if the money that is being paid for the players is justified. We have seen people sometimes failing to justify their price tags, with the case of Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2025 being a prime example. The current RCB man crumbled under pressure at KKR, scoring 142 runs in 11 matches.

So, do players find the price tags to be a hindrance? Well, Dale Steyn doesn't believe it to be the case and used the example of Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to make his case.

The discussion in JioStar was around CSK spending big money on unproven talents like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma during the auction. Steyn said that while people may say price tag could cause an issue but he feels that it actually allows the players to do well.

The former South African pacer feels the price tag is a reflection of their talent and the players actually do well to live up to the hype."

Sometimes people think money has plays a role like hindering a player. Oh, can you live up to that price tag? I actually think the opposite now. I think that when players are earning a lot more money. They look at their heroes. There is not a player in the Indian team that isn't extremely wealthy. OK, I'm going to say that out loud.""

That's why they play so like so well. So money is just part of this now. It's not something that hinders you and holds you back in terms of performance.""

You just get paid and you carry on playing well. It almost has a reflection on the way that you play. I'm getting paid now. That means that I have to live up to the standards. And they actually live up to that standard," said Steyn.

Why Is Hardik Pandya

A CLASSIC CASE?Steyn then introduced the case of Hardik, who he feels always walks the talk. The Indian all-rounder is a multi-time IPL winner and is a two-time T20 World Cup champion. Steyn feels that players will look at Hardik and believe that they can perform like him despite the big-money tag."

Hardik Pandya is a classic case in point for me. I mean, he walks the talk. He looks like money when he plays. He wins World Cups, captains sides. So these players are going, this is my hero. This is how things are done. It's not hindering me. That's who I want to become and that's the lifestyle that I want to live," said Steyn.

Hardik was initially bought by MI for just 10 lakhs and was initially retained 11 crores, with 10900 percent increase in his price. He then went to Gujarat Titans for 15 crores and helped them win the IPL 2022 title and reach the final the next year.

He was bought by MI in 2024 and then retained ahead of the IPL 2025 auction for 16.35 crores.

IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score - EndsPublished By: alan johnPublished On: Mar 27, 2026 20:57 IST

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