The IPL 2025 mega auction kicked off with intense competition and record-breaking bids on its first day. Among the marquee purchases, Rishabh Pant created history by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history. Lucknow Super Giants secured Pant for an astounding ₹27 crore, surpassing Shreyas Iyer’s previous record of ₹26.75 crore set earlier by Punjab Kings.
Other high-profile buys included Venkatesh Iyer, who joined Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹23.75 crore, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who became the most expensive Indian spinner in IPL history at ₹18 crore, acquired by Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh was the first player sold, retained by Punjab Kings for ₹18 crore using the Right to Match (RTM) card.
Spinners and International Stars Command High Prices
The auction also highlighted the demand for spinners and international players. Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad drew significant attention, joining Chennai Super Kings for ₹10 crore after a bidding war with Gujarat Titans. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga was picked by Rajasthan Royals for ₹5.25 crore, adding to their formidable spin arsenal.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad made strategic purchases in the spin department, acquiring Rahul Chahar for ₹3.2 crore and Adam Zampa for ₹2.4 crore. Rajasthan Royals also brought in Maheesh Theekshana for ₹4.4 crore. These additions underscore the teams’ focus on strengthening their bowling line-ups ahead of the season.
Uncapped Players and Value Buys Shine
The auction wasn’t only about big names; uncapped players also garnered attention. Delhi Capitals picked Karun Nair for ₹50 lakh, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi was re-signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹3 crore after a strong performance last season. Gujarat Titans secured Nishant Sindhu, a promising all-rounder, for his base price of ₹30 lakh, and Delhi Capitals added power-hitter Sameer Rizvi for ₹95 lakh. Sunrisers Hyderabad grabbed Abhinav Manohar for ₹3.2 crore, bolstering their middle-order strength.
As the day ended, teams like Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals still held significant portions of their budgets, promising more excitement in the upcoming sessions. With marquee players already setting records, the focus now shifts to uncapped and emerging talents as the auction progresses.
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