New Delhi: A total of 577 players will go under the hammer in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction which is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday. Several big names are expected to trigger bidding wars between the franchises at the auction and fetch big money. The likes of Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh are all favourites to emerge as the most expensive pick at the auction.
While Pant was shockingly released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Kolkata Knight Riders decided not to retain their IPL 2024-winning captain Iyer. Despite being one of India’s best T20 bowlers at present, Arshdeep was released by Punjab Kings, who decided to keep hold of only two uncapped players ahead of the mega auction.
The trio is expected to be in demand along with several others in Jeddah on Sunday. Many have also backed Pant to break Mitchell Starc’s record and become the most expensive player of all time in IPL history. Starc became the most expensive buy in IPL history after KKR splurged a whopping Rs 24.75 crore to secure the services of the Australian pacer in the IPL 2024 mini-auction last year.
Players who can become most expensive picks in IPL 2025 mega auction:
1) Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is the strongest contender to emerge as the costliest buy at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Indian wicket-keeper batter will be on the radar of several teams who are looking for a potential captaincy candidate and a quality Indian wicket-keeper batter.
Pant has already been backed by many to shatter the records in the auction this year and it remains to be seen which teams will go for the Team India star. Pant, who led DC for three seasons from IPL 2021 to 2024, has 3284 runs to his name in 111 matches at a strike rate of 148.93 in his IPL career.
2) Arshdeep Singh
One of India’s premier T20 bowlers at present, Arshdeep Singh was released by Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction despite his impressive performances in the last few years. Nonetheless, the left-arm pacer is expected to trigger a bidding war between teams for his services.
The left-arm pacer was a vital cog in the Punjab Kings’ pace attack and has done well for India in T20Is. He can bowl with the new ball in Powerplay and is equally effective with his Yorkers and good line and length in the death overs. Arshdeep has 76 wickets to his name in 65 matches in his IPL career so far.
3) Shreyas Iyer
Team India star Shreyas Iyer is another big name who can fetch a huge amount at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Iyer will be in demand having led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a memorable title triumph in IPL 2024 earlier this year. Iyer can also be a solid addition to any middle order with his experience and ability to bat in different situations.
All teams looking for a captain will have Iyer high on their list and will look to go all out for the star batter. There have been speculation that DC are eyeing the India batter to replace Pant and it remains to be seen if the franchise will go after him at the mega auction.
4) KL Rahul
Another Team India star who will be on the radar of several teams. KL Rahul was released by Lucknow Super Giants despite leading the team in all three seasons after their debut in IPL 2022. Rahul has been a consistent performer with the willow in IPL over the years, however, there have been concerns about his strike rate not matching up with the modern-day requirements of the game.
Nonetheless, Rahul is one of the biggest names in the auction pool and there will be a number of teams who would want him in their squad. Rahul not only offers stability at the top but is also a decent captaincy candidate with significant experience behind his back. Rahul is also expected to breach the Rs 15 crore mark at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
5) Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan has not been dominating headlines ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction but can turn out to be one of the most expensive picks. Kishan’s numbers in the IPL have been impressive and he also brings the ‘X-factor’ as an opener. The swashbuckling left-hander is also a top wicket-keeper, a skill that many teams will be on the look out for in the auction.
Kishan was bought back by Mumbai Indians for Rs 15.25 crore at the IPL 2022 mega auction and is expected to fetch a huge amount once again this year.
A number of big names are expected to trigger bidding wars between the teams at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. From Rishabh Pant to Shreyas Iyer, here is a look at players who can emerge as the top buys in the IPL 2025 auction. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
