The much-anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah, has left cricket fans across the globe buzzing. With 577 cricketers competing for 204 slots across 10 franchises, the event has been nothing short of thrilling. From jaw-dropping bids to unexpected snubs, here’s a comprehensive look at the highlights of this historic auction.
Day 1 Highlights
Day 1 set the stage for fierce competition as franchises splurged on marquee players. Punjab Kings stole the show with their record INR 26.75 crore bid for Shreyas Iyer. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s move to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 27 crore solidified his status as one of the league’s most valuable assets.
Venkatesh Iyer and Yuzvendra Chahal were other big winners of the day, earning INR 23.75 crore and INR 18 crore, respectively. Their consistent performances in past seasons ensured their appeal to franchises.
Surprisingly, some big names failed to attract bids. David Warner, one of the IPL’s all-time greats, remained unsold, as did Devdutt Padikkal and Jonny Bairstow. While their recent form may have contributed, it was a wake-up call for these seasoned stars.
Day 2 Overview
The drama continued on Day 2, with intense bidding wars for emerging talents. However, the spotlight shifted to players who shockingly went unsold.
Kane Williamson, known for his elegance and leadership, found no takers. Prithvi Shaw, once a promising prodigy, faced the same fate. Even Shardul Thakur, despite his all-round skills, remained unsold, likely due to his injury history.
Analysis of Unsold Players
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw surprisingly went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. His performance has significantly declined over the past couple of years. After being released by the Delhi Capitals, Shaw entered the auction with a base price of INR 75 lakh, but none of the 10 IPL teams showed interest in him.
Anjikya Rahane
Another big name failing to find a buyer was India batter Ajinkya Rahane, who was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in the last two seasons. His starting price at the auction was INR 1.50 Crore.
Kane Williamson
The former New Zealand skipper’s limited appearances and injury setbacks contributed to his lack of bids. Kane Williamson entered the auction ring with a base price of INR 2 Crore. However, the classy right-hander failed to attract any franchise.
Shardul Thakur
Despite Shardul Thakur‘s versatility, concerns about his fitness overshadowed his potential contributions. There was no bid for the former CSK star and his history with injuries could be a reason for it. Thakur, a two-time IPL winner with CSK in 2018 and 2021, had the base price of INR 2 Crore.
Accelerated Round Possibilities
The unsold players might still have a shot in the accelerated round if teams reassess their strategies. Franchises often revisit these players to fill gaps or exploit remaining budgets.
The auction saw unprecedented spending, with franchises breaking records to secure their dream teams. Compared to previous years, the stakes were higher, and the spending reflected the evolving dynamics of the league.
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