The highly anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction kicked off with a bang, as teams spent a whopping Rs 467.95 crore on the first day. The biggest headlines of the day were made by Indian star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore. Other notable big buys included Venkatesh Iyer (KKR, Rs 23.75 crore) and Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS, Rs 18 crore). In a surprise move, Sunrisers Hyderabad picked up Ishan Kishan for Rs 11.25 crore, while Mumbai Indians were late to the party and bought Trent Boult for Rs 12.50 crore.
The highly anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction is about to begin with 577 players vying for a chance to join one of the 10 franchises. Among the most coveted players are three former IPL captains, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, who headline the Marquee Players list and will kick off the bidding wars. Punjab Kings hold the largest budget with a whopping Rs 110.5 crore, giving them more options to use the Right to Match cards. Out of the 12 players in the Marquee list, seven are Indian players divided into two groups.
The highly anticipated IPL mega auction for 2025 is set to begin on November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With 577 players in the running and 201 slots to be filled across the franchises, fans can expect a thrilling bidding war for some of the biggest names in cricket including Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Mitchell Starc. 12 top players have been split into two groups and will be the first to go under the hammer, followed by the remaining capped and uncapped players. The live telecast will be available on Star Sports with streaming on Jio Cinema. Mark your calendars for March 14, 2025, as the next IPL season begins.
The IPL 2024 mega-auction has taken everyone by surprise as three key players - Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul - have been released by their respective teams and left up for grabs. While these players have proven their worth on the field, franchise owners seem to be looking for a change in direction. With teams now eyeing their "number one target" and devising a winning strategy for the auction, it will be an exciting and crucial time for coaches and players alike.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was bought for a record-breaking 24.75 crore in the IPL auction, has been facing criticism for his lackluster performances. However, Starc himself believes that his limited experience in T20 cricket may be the reason for his slower start in the tournament. His three-wicket haul against Lucknow Super Giants showcased his potential and impact that he can provide for his team, Kolkata Knight Riders, going forward. However, the left-arm seamer is confident in managing his workload and adjusting to the challenges of T20 cricket, as he has been in the game for a long time.
The intense bidding war at the IPL 2024 auction resulted in Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player ever in the league's history, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) securing his services for a whopping bid of INR 24.75 crores. This marked the first time ever that two players breached the 20 crore mark at the auction, with Starc's compatriot Pat Cummins being acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 20.50 crores. The auction also saw a total of 77 slots being filled by the 10 IPL teams, with all 30 overseas player quotas being claimed.