The much-anticipated IPL 2025 auction is underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking a pivotal moment for all 10 franchises. Teams are vying for top talent to build their squads for the next three years. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the event, including players sold, prices, team strategies, and key highlights.
Key Updates from IPL 2025 Mega Auction
The IPL auction offers teams the chance to revamp their squads. This year’s event is taking place at the Abady Al-Johar Arena, with 577 players on offer. Here’s what you need to know:
- Total Players: 577 cricketers (367 Indians, 210 overseas).
- Team Budgets: ₹120 crore per team to build squads of 18-25 players.
- Base Prices: Range from ₹30 lakh to ₹2 crore.
- Auction Dynamics: Includes player retentions, Right to Match (RTM) cards, and fierce bidding wars.
Top Highlights from Day 1
- Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants): Sold for a record ₹27 crore, becoming the most expensive IPL player ever.
- Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings): Briefly held the record with ₹26.75 crore before Pant’s acquisition.
- Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans): The highest-paid overseas player at ₹15.75 crore.
Most Expensive Players at IPL 2025
| Category | Player | Team | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Rishabh Pant | Lucknow Super Giants | ₹27 crore |
| Overseas | Jos Buttler | Gujarat Titans | ₹15.75 crore |
| Indian Uncapped Player | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Team-Wise Squad Updates
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Remaining Budget: ₹31.60 crore
- RTM Cards: 1
- Notable Retentions: Ravindra Jadeja (₹18 crore), MS Dhoni (₹4 crore).
- Key Acquisitions: Rahul Tripathi (₹3.40 crore), Rachin Ravindra (₹4 crore).
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Remaining Budget: ₹32 crore
- RTM Cards: 1
- Notable Retentions: Axar Patel (₹16.50 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (₹13.25 crore).
- Key Acquisitions: Mitchell Starc (₹11.75 crore), KL Rahul (₹14 crore).
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Remaining Budget: ₹30.25 crore
- RTM Cards: 1
- Notable Retentions: Rashid Khan (₹18 crore), Shubman Gill (₹16.50 crore).
- Key Acquisitions: Kagiso Rabada (₹10.75 crore), Jos Buttler (₹15.75 crore).
How the IPL Auction Process Works
- Retentions: Teams could retain up to six players, deducting their cost from the ₹120 crore budget.
- RTM Cards: Used during bidding to match the highest bid for a previously retained player.
- Budget Balance: Teams like Punjab Kings (₹110.5 crore) lead in purse size, while Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders have limited flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the total budget for IPL 2025 teams?
Each team has ₹120 crore to build their squad. - Who is the most expensive player in IPL history?
Rishabh Pant, sold to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore in IPL 2025. - What is an RTM card in IPL auctions?
RTM (Right to Match) allows a team to match the highest bid for their former player. - How many players can a team retain before the auction?
Teams can retain up to six players, including five capped players and two uncapped Indians. - Where is the IPL 2025 auction being held?
At the Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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