The stage is set for the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25, and it promises to be one of the most exciting events in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With a total of 1574 players registering for the auction, several big names from international cricket are set to go under the hammer, including Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Mitchell Starc, who have all set their base price at ₹2 crore, making them the highest-priced players in this year’s auction.
Key Indian Players Set to Enter the Auction
This year’s IPL auction will see several prominent Indian cricketers who were once captains of their respective teams but have now been released by their franchises. Among them are Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants), and Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders), who will now look for new teams as they enter the bidding wars. These players have opted for the ₹2 crore base price, which is the highest available in the auction.
Other notable Indian cricketers who will feature in the auction with a ₹2 crore base price include:
- Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal – Both of whom were released by Rajasthan Royals.
- Mohammad Shami – The pace bowler, who has been out of action due to injury since the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup, will be up for grabs after Gujarat Titans decided not to retain him.
In addition to the above-mentioned players, several other Indian cricketers have registered themselves with the ₹2 crore base price, including:
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Deepak Chahar
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Avesh Khan
- Ishan Kishan
- Mukesh Kumar
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Prasidh Krishna
- T Natarajan
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Krunal Pandya
- Harshal Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammad Siraj
- Umesh Yadav
Mitchell Starc and Other International Players to Watch
One of the most anticipated names in the auction is Mitchell Starc, the Australian pacer, who has made a massive impact in previous IPL seasons. Starc, who was the highest-priced player in the 2023 IPL auction, having been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a record-breaking ₹24.5 crore, has been released by the franchise and is now back in the auction pool. Despite his high-profile release, Starc has opted for the ₹2 crore base price.
In addition to Starc, other international players who will attract attention include:
- Jofra Archer – The England pacer has been unavailable for IPL since 2023 but has entered the auction at a ₹2 crore base price.
- James Anderson – The legendary England fast bowler, who retired from international cricket in 2023 and now serves as England’s bowling coach, has put himself up for auction with a base price of ₹1.25 crore. Anderson has not played a T20 since 2014 but remains a notable name in the world of fast bowling.
The auction will also feature several international players from countries such as Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies, who will be eyeing lucrative contracts for IPL 2025.
Geography Breakdown of IPL 2025 Auction Registrations
According to the official data released by IPL, 1574 players have registered for the auction. Among them, 1165 are Indian players, while the remaining 409 are international players, including 30 from associate nations.
One interesting trend is that South Africa has the highest number of registrations after India, with 91 South African cricketers having signed up for the auction. This suggests that the IPL 2025 could see a strong South African presence, which will be an exciting addition to the league’s competitive landscape.
Bidding Wars and Strategic Moves
The auction for IPL 2025 promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with a large pool of talent available for franchises to bid on. With some of the biggest names in cricket, including former captains and world-class international players, the competition for top-tier talent is expected to be intense.
Given the changes in team rosters, franchises will be looking to bolster their squads with players who can make an immediate impact. The two-crore category will undoubtedly be the most closely watched as players like Pant, Rahul, and Starc aim to secure contracts that reflect their pedigree and potential.
Moreover, teams that missed out on star players during the 2023 auction, or have seen key players released, will be looking to make strategic moves during this auction to ensure they are well-equipped for IPL 2025.
Conclusion
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is poised to deliver plenty of excitement, with several high-profile players entering the bidding process. From former captains like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer to international superstars like Mitchell Starc and Jofra Archer, the IPL auction promises to be a captivating event for cricket fans around the world. As franchises look to build their teams for the upcoming season, it will be fascinating to see how the auction unfolds and which players ultimately end up in new IPL homes.