IPL 2025 – Top Stars Enter Auction Pool as Teams Gear Up for Intense Bidding War
The much-anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction is set to make headlines as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a list of 1,574 players who will be eligible for bidding. This year’s event will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24-25, marking the first time the IPL auction has ventured beyond Indian soil. With 204 slots to fill across 10 franchises and strategic bidding set to take place, this auction promises to reshape the league’s landscape and bring fresh excitement to fans around the world.
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High-Profile Players and Base Prices: Top Stars Seek Big Bids
Among the high-profile players entering the auction pool are former captains Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, all of whom have set their base price at INR 2 crore. After being released by Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively, these players are poised to spark bidding wars as franchises look to secure experienced leaders for their squads. Also joining the Rs 2 crore club are veteran spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, alongside premier pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
A notable return to the auction is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who held the record as the most expensive player in IPL history last season. He reenters at a base price of INR 2 crore, ready to be a focal point of bidding action once again. Rising Indian pacer Umran Malik has also garnered attention, with his starting price set at INR 75 lakh, likely to attract intense interest from franchises seeking young, fast-bowling talent.
England’s Anderson to Make IPL Debut; Diverse International Talent Joins Pool
One of the biggest surprises this year is the entry of England’s veteran fast bowler James Anderson, who, despite his storied Test career, will be making his IPL debut. With a base price of INR 1.25 crore, Anderson’s entry adds experience to the auction and could appeal to teams looking for a seasoned bowler to support younger players.
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Adding further intrigue is the inclusion of Thomas Draca from Italy, representing the league’s growing diversity as players from non-traditional cricketing nations join the fray. This addition underscores the IPL’s expanding reach and its role in providing a global platform for emerging talent.
Bidding Strategies and RTM Card Reintroduction Set the Stage for a Competitive Auction
With each team allotted a purse of INR 120 crore, careful budget management will be key to securing top talent. Punjab Kings lead with INR 110.50 crore remaining, positioning them as frontrunners in the hunt for marquee players.
The Right to Match (RTM) card has also been reintroduced, adding a twist to bidding strategies by allowing teams to reclaim players they had released. This move will likely lead to intense battles over popular players, as franchises seek to balance loyalty with tactical decisions.
Key Absences: Ben Stokes Skips Auction as Workload Management Takes Priority
In a notable absence, England’s Ben Stokes has opted to skip the IPL 2025 season. Known for his all-round brilliance and leadership potential, Stokes’s decision highlights the challenges of managing player workloads amid demanding schedules. Without Stokes, teams will look for alternative options, adding to the overall dynamics and strategy at play.
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Retained Players List for IPL 2025
As teams plan their budgets and tactics for the auction, several franchises have opted to retain key players, forming the backbone of their squads. Here is a comprehensive look at the retained players and their prices:
| Franchise | Player | Retention Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | Jasprit Bumrah | 18 crore |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 16.35 crore | |
| Hardik Pandya | 16.35 crore | |
| Rohit Sharma | 16.30 crore | |
| Tilak Varma | 8 crore | |
| SunRisers Hyderabad | Heinrich Klaasen | 23 crore |
| Pat Cummins | 18 crore | |
| Abhishek Sharma | 14 crore | |
| Travis Head | 14 crore | |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 6 crore | |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Nicholas Pooran | 21 crore |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 11 crore | |
| Mayank Yadav | 11 crore | |
| Mohsin Khan | 4 crore | |
| Ayush Badoni | 4 crore | |
| Punjab Kings | Shashank Singh | 5.5 crore |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 4 crore | |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | 18 crore |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 18 crore | |
| Riyan Parag | 14 crore | |
| Dhruv Jurel | 14 crore | |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 11 crore | |
| Sandeep Sharma | 4 crore | |
| Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 18 crore |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 13 crore | |
| Shivam Dube | 12 crore | |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 18 crore | |
| MS Dhoni | 4 crore | |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Virat Kohli | 21 crore |
| Rajat Patidar | 11 crore | |
| Yash Dayal | 5 crore | |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Rinku Singh | 13 crore |
| Varun Chakravarthy | 12 crore | |
| Sunil Narine | 12 crore | |
| Andre Russell | 12 crore | |
| Harshit Rana | 4 crore | |
| Ramandeep Singh | 4 crore | |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel | 16.50 crore |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 13.25 crore | |
| Tristan Stubbs | 10 crore | |
| Abishek Porel | 4 crore | |
| Gujarat Titans | Rashid Khan | 18 crore |
| Shubman Gill | 16.50 crore | |
| Sai Sudharsan | 8.50 crore | |
| Rahul Tewatia | 4 crore | |
| Shahrukh Khan | 4 crore |
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A New Chapter in IPL History
The decision to hold the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah brings fresh excitement and global appeal to the league. With 1,574 players aiming for 204 spots, including veterans, emerging stars, and international newcomers, the stakes have never been higher. This year’s auction will see franchises not only bidding for talent but also reshaping their teams to meet tactical needs, making this event one of the most dynamic in IPL history.
As franchises prepare for a game-changing two days in Saudi Arabia, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting to see which players will don new colors and which teams will emerge stronger for the upcoming season.
