New Delhi: Legendary England pacer James Anderson sent shockwaves across the cricket world by listing himself for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega-auction. Recently, he decided to take the step, having ended his international cricket career as the most successful pacer in Test cricket earlier this year. It is noteworthy that Anderson has never played a match in the IPL and is looking forward to increasing his knowledge of the game.
The 42-year-old fast bowler last played a T20 match in 2014 and registered himself for the IPL 2025 auction that is slated to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, at a base price of Rs 1.25 crore. Anderson quit red-ball cricket after 188 matches for England earlier this year, taking 704 wickets to finish as the third-highest wicket-taker ever, only behind Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Australia’s spin maestro Shane Warne (708).
“There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player,” Anderson spoke to BBC Radio 4 Today in a podcast.
Why IPL at 42?
Anderson opened up on his registration for IPL 2025, saying that by playing in the world’s biggest T20 league, he will get much learning as a bowler and will also gain more experience and knowledge as a coach. “I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you like to call it,” Anderson said.
“I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it, sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line,” he added. Widely known as the “Burnley Express”, Anderson last played a T20 game for his County side Lancashire in August 2014 while his final appearance in the format for England was in November 2009.
(With PTI inputs)
James Anderson shockingly listed himself for the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auction and is expecting to feature in the cash-rich league for the first time in his illustrious career. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
