November 23, 2024: The IPL 2025 Mega Auction, set to take place from November 24-25 in Jeddah, is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling and high-stakes events in this year’s cricket calendar. With 574 players shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,574, the auction is expected to break records and bring unexpected twists as franchises look to strengthen their squads for the next season.
574 players will be available for bidding, including 208 overseas players and 318 uncapped Indian players.
12 uncapped overseas talents have also made the list, and several players from India’s U19 World Cup squad are expected to attract attention.
The auction will take place in Jeddah, a new location for the IPL auction, adding a unique flair to the event.
The U19 Stars to Watch:
A big talking point is the India U19 World Cup stars, many of whom will look to replicate the rise of Virat Kohli, who was drafted by RCB after the 2008 U19 World Cup. Kohli went on to become one of the greatest batters in IPL history, amassing over 8,000 runs and eight centuries. Now, several U19 players from this year’s runner-up team will hope to follow a similar path.
Here are the U19 stars who are set to go under the hammer:
Uday Saharan
The top-run scorer of the tournament with 397 runs at an average of 56.71 and a strike rate of 77.69, including a century and three fifties. His consistency makes him a strong prospect.
Musheer Khan
Second-highest run-scorer in the U19 World Cup with 360 runs at an average of 60.00 and a strike rate of 98.09. Musheer also shone with the ball, taking seven wickets. Since then, he has continued his rise in first-class cricket with standout performances in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy.
Sachin Dhas
Scored 303 runs in seven matches at an average of 60.60, including a century (116). Though he has had a mixed start in first-class cricket, his U19 performances have put him on the radar.
Arshin Kulkarni
A pace-bowling all-rounder, Kulkarni impressed with both bat and ball in the U19 World Cup, scoring 189 runs and taking four wickets. His ability to fill the shoes of players like Hardik Pandya makes him an exciting prospect for franchises.
Saumy Pandey
The top wicket-taker for India in the U19 WC, with 18 wickets at an average of 10.27 and best figures of 4/19. Pandey’s sharp spin could make him an in-demand player.
Naman Tiwari
The most successful Indian pacer in the U19 World Cup, taking 12 wickets with two four-wicket hauls, including best figures of 4/20. His pace and ability to deliver under pressure are assets for any IPL team.
Raj Limbani
The right-arm pacer took 11 wickets at an average of 16.54 and has shown promise in first-class cricket with Baroda.
The auction will also feature several marquee players, including both Indian and international stars. Here’s a quick rundown of the 12 marquee players for IPL 2025:
- Set 1:
- Shreyas Iyer (captain)
- Rishabh Pant (captain)
- Arshdeep Singh
- Set 2:
- KL Rahul (captain)
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Mohammad Shami
- Mohammad Siraj
- Overseas Players:
- Mitchell Starc
- Jos Buttler
- Liam Livingstone
- David Miller
- Kagiso Rabada
Right-to-Match (RTM) Cards:
The RTM cards will play a crucial role in the auction, allowing franchises to match the highest bid for a player they have previously released. The teams that can use RTM cards are:
- Punjab Kings (4 RTMs)
- RCB (3 RTMs)
- Delhi Capitals (2 RTMs)
- CSK, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, and Mumbai Indians (1 RTM each)
- KKR and Rajasthan Royals (no RTMs, as they’ve retained six players each)
Key Auction Dynamics:
- Highest Reserve Price: A total of 81 players have opted for the highest reserve price of INR 2 crore, signaling the potential for high bidding wars, especially for marquee players and big names like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant.
- Expect the Unexpected: The IPL auction is always full of surprises, and this year could be no different. There are players from around the world and uncapped Indian talent who could cause bidding frenzies.
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction promises to be a spectacle filled with strategic bids, marquee players, and the chance for emerging talent to secure lucrative IPL contracts. With franchises eyeing both experience and fresh talent, including India’s promising U19 stars, the upcoming season could witness some exciting new chapters in the IPL’s ever-evolving history. Keep an eye on the Jeddah Auction, as it sets the stage for the next big season of the IPL.
