Former Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Nitish Rana became the centre of attention on the second day of the IPL 2025 auction as Rajasthan Royals secured him for Rs 4.20 crore. Rana's inclusion adds depth and experience to the Royals' batting lineup as they aim for a championship title. Despite fierce competition from CSK and RCB, RR emerged victoriously in the bidding war for the reliable middle-order batter. Other notable moments from the auction include Washington Sundar's move to Gujarat Titans and Sam Curran's return to Chennai Super Kings.
Nitish Rana Joins Rajasthan Royals for a Stellar IPL 2025 Auction
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Nitish Rana stole the limelight at the IPL 2025 auction, with Rajasthan Royals (RR) acquiring his services for a handsome INR 4.20 crore. Rana's arrival significantly bolsters the Royals' batting unit, bringing a wealth of experience and reliability to the middle order.
Despite intense competition from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), RR emerged victorious in the bidding war for the highly sought-after batter. His acquisition reflects the team's ambition to challenge for the elusive championship title this season.
Other Notable Auction Developments
In addition to Rana's move, the IPL auction witnessed several other notable developments:
Background on Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana, a left-handed batter and occasional right-arm off-spinner, rose through the ranks after an impressive domestic season in 2015-16. He made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2016 and has since represented KKR and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
Known for his aggressive strokeplay and ability to anchor innings, Rana has consistently posted impressive numbers in the IPL. In 101 matches, he has amassed 2,315 runs at an average of 29.20 and a strike rate of 138.09. He has also scalped 40 wickets at an economy rate of 7.83.
FAQs
Q1: Why was Nitish Rana released by KKR? A: KKR released Rana due to salary cap constraints and their desire to rebuild their team.
Q2: What are Rajasthan Royals' expectations for Nitish Rana? A: RR expects Rana to contribute significantly with the bat in the middle order and provide occasional off-spin bowling.
Q3: Which other players did Rajasthan Royals target at the auction? A: RR was also interested in acquiring Ben Stokes and Cameron Green, but they were outbid by other franchises.
Q4: Has Washington Sundar ever played for RR before? A: No, this is the first time Sundar will represent RR in the IPL.
Q5: When is the IPL 2025 season scheduled to begin? A: The IPL 2025 season is expected to commence in late March or early April.
The second day of the IPL 2025 Auction saw intense bidding wars as RCB secured talented English all-rounder Jacob Bethell for Rs 2.6 crore, while CSK acquired Australian pacer Nathan Ellis for Rs 2 crore. Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and West Indies sensation Shamar Joseph were sold to Delhi Capitals and LSG respectively, while all-rounder Kamindu Mendis was taken by SRH at his base price of Rs 75 lakh. Several big names like Jason Behrendorff and Navdeep Saini went unsold, making it an eventful day for the IPL teams. Stay updated with the latest business news and stock market updates through our coverage.
The IPL 2025 Auction was headlined by intense bidding wars for top players as MI secured the services of England's Will Jacks for Rs 5.25 crore while RCB acquired Tim David for Rs 3 crore. Other notable buys include Baroda's Deepak Hooda to CSK and Bengal's Shahbaz Ahmed to LSG. The absence of bids for Moeen Ali, however, has raised eyebrows. In case you missed it, catch all the latest business news and updates on Zee Business.
The Rajasthan Royals made a bold move by signing 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for INR 1.1 crores. The left-handed opener, who has only played five FC games and one T20 match, will make his IPL debut for the inaugural champions. The Royals continue to invest in young talent, along with experienced players, in their pursuit for success in the upcoming season.
After a dominant 5-1 win against Al-Ain, Al-Nassr sets its sights on another victory when it faces Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League. Talisca and Cristiano Ronaldo will be key players to watch as they look to continue their impressive form. Stay tuned for an exciting match at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar.
After a series of disappointing performances and losses in the Saudi Pro League and King Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo's team, Al-Nassr, has made an impressive comeback in the AFC Champions League. With Ronaldo's recent stunning goal for Portugal and his contribution to Al-Nassr's victory against Al-Qadsdsiah, fans and supporters are counting on him to continue his winning streak. However, their upcoming match against Al-Gharafa will be a tough one, as both teams exhibit strong offense but struggle with defensive inconsistencies. Ronaldo will need to be at the top of his game to secure a win for his team and potentially close the gap with the top teams in the AFC Champions League.
Despite a strong track record in Test cricket, James Anderson failed to secure a contract in the IPL auction. However, other English players such as Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, and Sam Curran made significant gains, with big name teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings acquiring their services. The auction saw a major shakeup in the 2025 edition of the tournament, with teams finalizing their squads for the upcoming season.
As five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians entered IPL 2025 mega auction with a purse of Rs 45 crore, they made some major signings including Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult, who will lead their pace attack. With top players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya retained, MI also added valuable players like Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks to their squad, making their team a formidable one for the upcoming season.
In a busy Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Auction, Chennai Super Kings have continued to bring back familiar faces in their efforts to strengthen their squad. The five-time winners have shelled out Rs 2.4 Crore to rope in former player Sam Curran, along with multiple other Chennai old boys. Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also makes a return to the CSK squad, while the team has also added the likes of Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Noor Ahmad to their unit.
The upcoming Champions League match between Real Madrid and Liverpool brings together two of the biggest teams in the competition, but with vastly different rankings. While Real Madrid sits comfortably at the top of the 36-team standings format, Liverpool finds themselves in a lowly 18th place. This match will not only determine the fate of these two storied powers, but also serve as a reminder of the volatile nature of sports. Will Liverpool pull off an unlikely upset, or will Real Madrid continue their dominance? Only time will tell.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction saw Faf du Plessis being bought by Delhi Capitals for just 2 Crore, and not retained by his former team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This decision by RCB signifies a shift in their strategy, perhaps aiming for a fresh start or banking on younger talents. This move not only lets go of a skilled player but also symbolizes a larger shift in the team's direction and approach.