Jeddah [Saudi Arabia], November 26 – The IPL 2025 Mega Auction wrapped up with a mix of surprising comebacks, calculated bids, and high-profile snubs. Franchises showed a clear preference for uncapped and emerging talent, while many veterans, including some international stars, went unsold.
Key Signings and Comebacks
- Arjun Tendulkar: In a homecoming, the son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was reacquired by Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs 30 lakh.
- Devdutt Padikkal: The top-order batter returned to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs 2 crore after initially going unsold.
- Lunith Sisodia: The Bangalore boy joined defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 30 lakh.
- Ajinkya Rahane: The experienced batter was signed by KKR for Rs 1.5 crore, with CEO Venky Mysore expressing satisfaction over the acquisition.
- Lizaad Williams: The South African pacer was picked up by MI for his base price of Rs 75 lakh.
- Kunal Rathore and Ashok Sharma: Both players joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Rs 30 lakh each.
- Lungi Ngidi: The South African pacer bolstered RCB’s bowling unit at Rs 1 crore.
- Mohit Rathee: The final player of the auction, Rathee joined RCB for Rs 30 lakh.
Other Notable Moves
- Abhinandan Singh: The right-arm medium pacer was signed by RCB for Rs 30 lakh.
- Kulwant Khejroliya: The Madhya Pradesh left-arm quick went to Gujarat Titans (GT) for Rs 30 lakh.
- Vignesh Puthur: Added to MI’s roster for Rs 30 lakh.
Players Who Went Unsold
Despite their experience and past performances, several seasoned players and international stars remained unsold:
- David Warner: The former Australian opener found no takers.
- Shivam Mavi: The capped Indian pacer failed to fetch a bid.
- Raj Limbani: The U-19 pacer and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy debutant was also overlooked.
- Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Agarwal: All went unsold.
- Gus Atkinson: The English quick, priced at Rs 2 crore, found no buyers.
- Sikandar Raza, Brandon King, and Pathum Nissanka: International stars failed to generate interest.
Franchise Strategies and Rising Stars
The franchises appeared to focus on uncapped and promising talent over seasoned veterans:
- Swastik Chikkara: The UPT20 League top-scorer moved from DC to RCB for Rs 30 lakh.
- Gurjapneet Singh: The tall left-arm seamer became a CSK player after a fierce bidding war with LSG and GT, securing Rs 2.2 crore.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: The Afghanistan pacer joined RR for Rs 2 crore.
- Matthew Breetzke: LSG secured the South African batter for Rs 75 lakh.
- Moeen Ali and Umran Malik: Both joined KKR for Rs 2 crore and Rs 75 lakh, respectively.
Closing Thoughts
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction reflected a clear trend: franchises are keen on building for the future with young and uncapped players. While names like Devdutt Padikkal and Arjun Tendulkar made notable returns, the absence of veterans like David Warner and Piyush Chawla signals a shift in the league’s priorities. With squads finalized, the stage is set for another electrifying IPL season.
