The IPL 2025 Mega Auction was held on November 24 and 25, 2024, at the Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This was the second time the auction took place outside India, making it a special event for cricket fans worldwide. A total of 577 players participated, including 48 capped Indian players, 195 capped overseas players, and a mix of uncapped talents.
This auction was exciting as teams focused on reshaping their squads for the next three years. Let’s explore the highlights and important moments of the event.
Highlights of the Auction
Biggest Buys
Top Players Bought
Unsold Surprises
Team Spending
Each team came prepared with a strategy. Let’s look at what some top teams achieved:
- Gujarat Titans: Focused on a balanced squad. They added stars like Jos Buttler and Mohammed Siraj.
- Punjab Kings: Spent big on Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis (₹11 crore).
- Lucknow Super Giants: Apart from Rishabh Pant, they signed Avesh Khan for ₹9.75 crore.
Key Observations
- Increased Base Price: The lowest base price was raised from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
- Overseas Players in Demand: Players like Liam Livingstone and Trent Boult drew significant attention.
- Bidding Wars: Teams fiercely competed for marquee players, highlighting the league's growing financial strength.
List of Top Buys
Player | Team | Price |
---|---|---|
Rishabh Pant | Lucknow Super Giants | ₹27 crore |
Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings | ₹26.75 crore |
Arshdeep Singh | Punjab Kings (RTM) | ₹18 crore |
Jos Buttler | Gujarat Titans | ₹15.75 crore |
Yuzvendra Chahal | Punjab Kings | ₹18 crore |
Why Was This Auction Unique?
This auction featured several uncapped and associate nation players, offering new talent a chance to shine. It also demonstrated the global appeal of IPL, with Saudi Arabia hosting the event for the second consecutive year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Where was the IPL 2025 auction held?
The auction took place at the Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Q2. Who was the most expensive player?
Rishabh Pant was the costliest player, sold for ₹27 crore to Lucknow Super Giants.
Q3. Which teams spent the most?
Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans were the biggest spenders.
Q4. How many players participated in the auction?
A total of 577 players were part of the auction.
Q5. Which famous players went unsold?
David Warner and Jonny Bairstow remained unsold.