The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Mega Auction has concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, held over two days (November 24 and 25). The event witnessed some players fetching astronomical sums, while others went unsold despite high expectations.
Here are the highlights of the auction, showcasing the most talked-about players over the two days. Some made headlines for breaking records with their prices, while others, surprisingly, found no takers.
1. Rishabh Pant Becomes the Most Expensive Player in IPL History
Rishabh Pant was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. However, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka admitted they had to spend more than they initially planned. Initially, LSG bid ₹20.75 crore, but when Delhi Capitals (DC) used their Right to Match (RTM) card, LSG raised their bid by ₹6.25 crore, eventually securing Pant for ₹27 crore.
2. Shreyas Iyer Bought for ₹26.75 Crore by Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer was acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore. Although Rishabh Pant broke this record minutes later, Iyer’s massive price tag raised questions, as he was earning ₹12.25 crore annually at KKR previously. However, PBKS now has a captain for their team, making the investment worthwhile.
3. Venkatesh Iyer Fetches ₹23.75 Crore from KKR
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) went all out to bring back Venkatesh Iyer after releasing him earlier. They paid ₹23.75 crore, making him one of the most expensive players. Venkatesh had been a key player for KKR in previous seasons but wasn’t retained, leading to a fierce bidding war.
4. David Warner Finds No Buyers
2016 IPL-winning captain David Warner (base price ₹2 crore) went unsold. Despite his stellar record, no team showed interest in the 38-year-old Australian, possibly due to his age and recent performances.
5. Kane Williamson Remains Unsold
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who previously earned ₹14 crore with Sunrisers Hyderabad and ₹2 crore with Gujarat Titans, found no buyers. His lack of game time in IPL 2023 and 2024, coupled with injuries, may have contributed to this surprising outcome.
6. Prithvi Shaw Left Unsold Despite Comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar
Once touted as the next Sachin Tendulkar by the ICC, Prithvi Shaw remained unsold at a base price of ₹75 lakh. The 25-year-old previously played for Delhi Capitals, earning ₹7.50 crore per season, but his inconsistent performances seem to have deterred franchises this time.
7. Sarfaraz Khan Unsold, Brother Musheer Khan Bought for ₹30 Lakh
Indian Test player Sarfaraz Khan went unsold despite his base price being just ₹75 lakh. However, his younger brother Musheer Khan was picked by Punjab Kings for ₹30 lakh, marking a bittersweet moment for the Khan family.
8. Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes Youngest Player in IPL History
At just 13 years and 243 days, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history as the youngest player to be selected in the IPL. Rajasthan Royals purchased him for ₹1.10 crore after a bidding war with Delhi Capitals. The Bihar-born cricketer is currently part of the U-19 Asia Cup squad and made his first-class debut earlier this year.
9. James Anderson Left Unsold Despite Registering for the First Time
Legendary England pacer James Anderson, aged 42, registered for the IPL auction for the first time with a base price of ₹1.25 crore. However, no team bid for him, despite his potential as a mentor for young bowlers. Anderson retired from cricket earlier this year and is now serving as England’s bowling coach.
10. Arjun Tendulkar Bought by Mumbai Indians for ₹30 Lakh
Arjun Tendulkar, initially unsold in the first round, was later picked up by Mumbai Indians (MI) for ₹30 lakh. Arjun has been part of MI since 2021 and made his IPL debut in 2023. In five matches so far, he has taken three wickets and scored 13 runs.
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction witnessed record-breaking bids, shocking snubs, and historic moments. With 182 players purchased for a total of ₹639.15 crore, it promises an exciting season ahead.
