The IPL-2025 mega auction is set to begin, and the excitement is palpable as 10 franchises gear up to bid crores for the best cricket talent. With a total of Rs 641.5 crore in hand, the franchises are preparing for a fierce bidding war to secure the best players for the upcoming season. Punjab Kings, with the highest available budget of Rs 110.50 crore, are expected to be one of the biggest spenders, while Rajasthan Royals are working with a more modest budget of Rs 41 crore.
Key Players in the Auction:
The auction will feature 577 players, including 367 Indian players and 210 foreign players, with a minimum price of Rs 2 crore for 81 players. The action-packed bidding will take place at the Jeddah venue on Sunday and Monday, and fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this high-stakes event.
Among the big names, Team India player Rishabh Pant is expected to command a record price. The 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who recently left Delhi Capitals, is likely to fetch a hefty bid. With no possibility for Delhi Capitals to use the Right to Match (RTM) card, the bidding is expected to be a tough competition, particularly between Punjab Kings and Bengaluru. A price of Rs 25 crore is expected, which would make Pant the first Indian player to cross this milestone.
However, teams like Mumbai Indians (Rs 45 crore) and Chennai Super Kings (Rs 55 crore) are unlikely to engage in the bidding war, as their available budgets are comparatively lower.
Top Players in Demand:
Apart from Pant, several other big names are expected to attract attention in the auction. Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer with 96 wickets in international T20s, will be a hot commodity, with multiple franchises vying for his services. KL Rahul, who captained Lucknow Supergiants last season, is also among the top attractions. There is speculation that Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous season, could be snapped up for a high price, as teams look to fill captaincy roles.
Indian batters like Ishan Kishan, who is also in the auction, will likely attract interest. However, Mumbai Indians, who have a limited budget, may not go beyond Rs 15.25 crore to secure Kishan, as they did in the previous season.
Conclusion:
The IPL-2025 mega auction is set to be an intense battle for the best players. With franchises like Punjab Kings and Bengaluru looking to make big moves, we can expect some record-breaking bids. As the auction unfolds in Jeddah, cricket fans are in for a thrilling ride as their favorite players find new homes in the world’s most popular cricket league.
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