Padikkal, who started his IPL career with RCB in 2020, was a key figure in the team during his first two seasons, scoring 473 runs in his debut season and consistently contributing to the team’s batting lineup. However, after moving to Rajasthan Royals and then to Lucknow Super Giants, his form has seen a dip.

In the 2024 season with Lucknow, Padikkal struggled to make an impact, managing only 38 runs in 7 matches. As a result, he was released by the Lucknow franchise, and his name was put up for auction once again.

Interestingly, Padikkal was not picked up by any team during the first round of the auction, despite his past successes. However, when he re-entered the bidding in the final moments, RCB saw the opportunity and secured him for his base price.

This is not the first time Padikkal has been a part of RCB. The left-handed opener had a stellar start to his IPL career with the team in 2020, scoring 473 runs, including five fifties, in his rookie season. Over the next two seasons, he continued to impress, scoring 411 runs, which included a century and a half-century.

Padikkal’s return to RCB is seen as a potential turning point in his IPL career. With RCB’s strong lineup and his previous success with the team, Padikkal will be looking to regain his form and make a solid contribution to the team in the upcoming season.

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Rishabh Pant Becomes the Most Expensive Pick

The Delhi Capitals star, Rishabh Pant, stole the spotlight as the most expensive bid of the auction, fetching a remarkable Rs. 27 crores from Lucknow Super Giants. Pant’s value skyrocketed after his outstanding performances in previous IPL seasons, cementing his place as one of the top players in the competition.

Shreyas Iyer’s Impressive Bid

Another big name to enter the auction was Shreyas Iyer, who garnered significant interest. After a fierce bidding war, Iyer was acquired for Rs. 26.75 crores, with multiple franchises vying for his services. His consistent performances in domestic cricket and the international circuit have made him a coveted player for IPL teams looking to strengthen their middle order.

Rachin Ravindra’s Smart Return to Chennai Super Kings

In a noteworthy twist, Rachin Ravindra, who was released by Chennai Super Kings during the retention phase, made his way back to the franchise in the IPL 2025 auction. Initially entering with a base price of Rs. 1.5 crores, Ravindra’s bid quickly attracted attention from multiple teams, with Punjab Kings pushing the price up to Rs. 3.20 crores. However, Chennai Super Kings executed a brilliant strategy by utilizing their Right to Match (RTM) card to secure Ravindra for Rs. 4 crores, defeating Punjab Kings in a nail-biting auction battle.

This move was hailed as a smart decision by Chennai Super Kings, as they were able to retain a promising all-rounder who has impressed in both domestic and international cricket. Ravindra’s performance with the New Zealand national team and his skills in T20 cricket have made him a valuable asset for CSK, especially with the team looking to bolster its all-rounder options.

Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2025 Retentions and Purchases

Chennai Super Kings have been strategic in their auction moves. Before the auction, they retained key players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad (Rs. 18 crores), Ravindra Jadeja (Rs. 18 crores), Matisha Pathirana (Rs. 13 crores), Shivam Dube (Rs. 12 crores), and MS Dhoni (Rs. 4 crores as an uncapped player).

In the auction, they acquired Ravichandran Ashwin for Rs. 9.75 crores, Devon Conway for Rs. 6.25 crores, and Rahul Tripathi for Rs. 3.4 crores, strengthening their squad further for IPL 2025.

Conclusion

The IPL 2025 auction has once again proven to be a hotbed of exciting bidding wars, with franchises like Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, and Chennai Super Kings securing some of the most sought-after players in the market. With a mix of experience and young talent, IPL 2025 promises to be another thrilling season of cricket.

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Mega Auction Overview

• Venue: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Dates: November 24 and 25
• Players in Auction: 577 (367 Indian, 210 overseas)
• Youngest Player: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (13 years old)
• Oldest Player: James Anderson (42 years old)
• Total Slots Available: 204
• Live Streaming: Star Sports, Jio Cinema App, IPL Website
• Auction Timing: 3:30 PM onwards on both days

Franchise Budgets for the Auction

Franchises come equipped with varied budgets to secure the best talent:

Highlights of the Auction

1. Marquee Players in the Spotlight
   A total of 12 marquee players will kickstart the auction. Divided into two sets, these include star cricketers like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, KL Rahul, Kagiso Rabada, and Mitchell Starc.
2. Diverse Talent Pool
   The auction features a mix of young and experienced players. The youngest, Vaibhav Suryavanshi (13 years old), is a wonderkid aiming to make history. On the other hand, legendary English pacer James Anderson (42 years old) shows that age is just a number.
3. Fast-Paced Day 2
   The second day of the auction will see intense bidding starting from player number 117, promising edge-of-the-seat action.
4. Retained Stars
   Ahead of the mega auction, franchises have retained their core players. Notable retentions include:
   • Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja
   • Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah
   • Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli
   • Rajasthan Royals: Yashaswi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson

Expectations from the Auction

With such a massive lineup of players and franchises armed with varying budgets, the IPL 2025 Mega Auction is set to redefine team strategies. Players like Nicholas Pooran, Tilak Varma, and Rashid Khan are expected to spark fierce bidding wars.

The event is also significant for its international appeal, being held in Jeddah for the first time, emphasizing the global stature of the IPL.

Conclusion

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is more than just a cricketing event; it’s a spectacle where dreams are realized, legacies are built, and teams are forged for one of the world’s most-watched tournaments. Whether you’re rooting for seasoned pros or young talents, the auction promises unmatched excitement.

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Here’s a closer look at the top 5 star players who will be part of the IPL 2025 mega auction:

1. James Anderson:

The presence of James Anderson in the IPL 2025 auction is a major surprise. Known as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, Anderson is registering for the IPL auction for the first time ever. Having recently retired from international Test cricket, Anderson played his final Test match against the West Indies in July 2024. With a base price of ₹1.25 crore, Anderson’s inclusion in the auction is generating a lot of interest, especially for his experience and skills in the longer format, which could benefit IPL franchises looking for a seasoned pacer.

2. David Warner:

Former Australian opening batsman David Warner is another big name on the auction list. Warner, who was dropped by the Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025, has been a key figure in the IPL for years. He holds several records, including being the third player with the highest number of boundaries (663) in IPL history and the record for most half-centuries (66). Warner led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first IPL title in 2016. With his vast experience, the Australian veteran is expected to attract a lot of bids from teams looking to bolster their top-order batting.

3. Faf du Plessis:

Faf du Plessis, who has been a stalwart for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), will not be retained by the franchise for the upcoming season. Under his leadership, RCB made significant progress, including entering the playoffs in IPL 2024 after winning seven consecutive matches. Du Plessis has been one of the top performers in recent years and remains a sought-after captain, making him one of the most anticipated names in the auction pool.

4. Moeen Ali:

Moeen Ali, the versatile England cricketer, has made a significant impact in the IPL, first with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and later with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Ali played a pivotal role in CSK’s IPL 2023 title win, showcasing his all-round abilities. With 67 matches under his belt and 1162 runs, Ali’s experience across various international leagues makes him an attractive prospect for teams. However, CSK has not retained him for IPL 2025, and he is now ready to seek a new franchise.

5. Trent Boult:

Trent Boult, one of the most dangerous swing bowlers in world cricket, has parted ways with Rajasthan Royals after playing a crucial role in their powerplay overs. Boult is the second highest wicket-taker in IPL powerplay history, with 63 wickets, just behind Team India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar. With 121 wickets from 104 IPL matches, Boult brings a wealth of experience and skill in the fast-bowling department, making him a key contender for franchises looking to strengthen their bowling attack.

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