Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, November 25, 2024: Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, has been bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 11.25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. The 25-year-old was released by Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the auction, despite fetching a high bid of Rs 15.25 crore in the previous season. In a hotly contested bidding war, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings also showed interest, but SRH eventually secured his services for the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Kishan’s move marks a significant shift, as he will now represent a new franchise after years of being with Mumbai Indians. Despite his strong performances for MI, Mumbai chose not to retain him, a decision that raised several eyebrows, especially after his impressive contributions as both a wicketkeeper and a top-order batter.
Auction Dynamics and Mumbai Indians’ Strategy:
In the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Mumbai Indians did bid for Kishan at his base price of Rs 2 crore, but the price quickly escalated beyond their budget, ultimately reaching Rs 11.25 crore with SRH. Delhi Capitals, keen on adding a wicketkeeper-batsman after Rishabh Pant’s release, also showed significant interest in Kishan. After a fierce bidding war with Punjab Kings, SRH clinched the deal.
The main reason behind Mumbai Indians’ failure to retain Kishan through the Right to Match (RTM) card lies in their retention strategy. Mumbai had already retained five capped players: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Verma. According to IPL rules, a team can only use the RTM card for uncapped players after retaining a maximum of five capped players. This restriction made it impossible for MI to use the RTM card for Kishan.
Budget Constraints and Team Balance:
While Ishan Kishan is undoubtedly a key player, his high auction price likely impacted Mumbai Indians’ budget for future signings. With their existing squad having several strong players, MI chose to manage their purse efficiently to secure additional talent in the auction. This strategy reflects Mumbai’s focus on maintaining a balanced team and avoiding over-expending, especially as they prepare for another strong IPL campaign.
Impact on IPL 2025:
Kishan’s departure from Mumbai and his arrival at SRH marks an exciting chapter in his IPL career. It will be interesting to see how the talented wicketkeeper-batsman adapts to his new role in the Sunrisers squad. With other franchises showing significant interest in his services, Kishan’s price at the auction is a testament to his value in the IPL, and his performance in the coming season will be eagerly awaited.
Leave a comment