IPL 2025 Mega Auction: All the Details You Need to Know
The excitement around the IPL is set to reignite with the much-anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction. Scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this marks the second instance of the auction taking place abroad, following the 2024 edition in Dubai. With a total of 574 players up for grabs to fill 204 slots, the stakes are high, promising intense bidding wars and dramatic moments.
Key player movements will make this year’s auction especially captivating. Big names such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer have been released by their franchises, generating speculation about their next destinations. This auction will feature 366 Indian players and 208 overseas athletes, including representation from associate nations, making it a truly global affair. Among the overseas players, Australia and England lead with 37 players each, followed by South Africa with 31. The West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan also boast strong contingents. Notably, the list includes 12 marquee players divided into two sets, featuring cricket stars like Jos Buttler, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mitchell Starc.
For fans, all eyes are on how each team will reshape their squads with new signings, leveraging retention and Right-to-Match (RTM) cards. The Mumbai Indians, for instance, have retained key figures like Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have kept their faith in players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja, with MS Dhoni also making a return for another season. Royal Challengers Bangalore have chosen to stick with Virat Kohli, ensuring a familiar face continues to lead their campaign. Rajasthan Royals have also retained their nucleus, with skipper Sanju Samson and rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal among their mainstays.
The auction will see a variety of uncapped players, adding intrigue for franchises seeking future stars at competitive prices. Among the Indian contingent, 318 players are uncapped, while 12 of the overseas players are yet to earn their international caps. Marquee players, however, promise to headline the auction spectacle, with high base prices reflecting their stature in world cricket. David Miller, for example, stands out with a base price slightly below others, at INR 1.5 crore, highlighting his unique demand.
For franchises like Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, the upcoming auction will be critical to building competitive rosters. Punjab Kings, for instance, have the flexibility to target four capped players using their RTM options, having retained only two. Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and a few others, with room for strategic additions. In contrast, teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have used up their retention slots, meaning they will focus entirely on fresh acquisitions.
Fans can catch the live action of the auction on the Star Sports Network or stream it via the JioCinema platform. With live coverage beginning at 3 PM IST on November 24, it promises two days of fast-paced and thrilling activity that will define IPL 2025. The addition of international talent, marquee players, and uncapped hopefuls offers franchises the chance to recalibrate strategies and aim for the coveted IPL trophy.
Beyond individual team dynamics, the broader implications of this auction extend to reshaping rivalries, fostering fresh combinations, and perhaps even bringing unexpected surprises. As franchises strategize, anticipate who might emerge as the highest bids, break records, or slip under the radar as value picks. Fans can look forward to an enthralling cricketing spectacle as teams bid, plan, and take calculated risks to strengthen their squads. This auction is set to influence the balance of power in the IPL, making the wait for the 2025 season more exhilarating than ever before. With cricketing heavyweights and young aspirants all set to take center stage, IPL 2025 promises more drama, talent, and cricketing excellence.