The IPL 2025 auction was a grand affair spread over two days in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah. About 577 players were in the fray to find a bidder for them.
Franchises bought 182 players of the 577 while spending a whopping INR 639.15 crore. With that much money spent, a few players took a significant share from it, as franchises went bonkers for them.
Experienced Indian players hogged the limelight in the auction along with some prominent overseas stars.
In this piece, we’ll look at the top 10 most expensive players in the IPL 2025 Auction. (Note: All figures are in Indian Rupees.)
10. Mohammed Siraj | 12.25 Crore by GT
After not getting retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohammed Siraj found a new home at Gujarat Titans (GT). Siraj’s base price was 2 crore, and Gujarat was the first to open the bid.
There was a bidding war between GT and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) till 8.25 crore before Rajasthan Royals entered the action. The bidding continued till 12.25 crore before the hammer fell, with Gujarat emerging as the successful bidder.
9. Josh Hazlewood | 12.50 Crore by RCB
Josh Hazlewood didn’t find any bidders in the 2024 season. But this time, four franchises showed interest in him, and RCB snapped him for 12.50 crore.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were the first to raise the paddle at 2 crore, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) giving them a tough fight till 7.75 crore. Then RCB entered with an 8 crore bid, which shot to 12.25 crore, with LSG exiting at 10 crore and Mumbai Indians entering after that.
8. Jofra Archer | 12.50 Crore by RR
After missing the 2024 season due to an injury, Jofra Archer was a last-minute addition to the final list. It was a homecoming moment for the England pacer, as RR picked him for 12.50 crore.
There was an initial battle between LSG and MI till 8.25 crore before RR swooped in to trump MI with their winning bid for Archer.
7. Trent Boult | 12.50 Crore by MI
Another pacer who reunited with his former IPL franchise. Trent Boult was part of RR for the past three seasons. And the franchise wanted to buy him back.
The Royals opened the bid for him before getting into an intense battle with LSG and MI. RR went till 12.25 crore before giving up, with MI raising the bid to 12.50 crore.
6. KL Rahul | 14 Crore by DC
KL Rahul’s stint with LSG ended on a sour note, and he was back in the auction dynamics. The keeper-batter attracted bids from four franchises, with KKR and RCB starting the proceedings.
Till 10.75 crore, it was KKR versus RCB before DC and CSK took it further. CSK were perhaps looking at KL Rahul as MS Dhoni’s future replacement, but DC’s co-owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi had the last laugh with a 14 crore bid.
5. Jos Buttler | 15.75 Crore by GT
It was a bit of a surprise with RR not retaining Jos Buttler before the auction. But the Royals tried to buy him back with GT posing a challenge.
RR backed out at 9.25 crore, but GT were firm on getting Buttler despite Punjab Kings (PBKS) and LSG coming in later. In the end, GT snapped up the keeper-batter for 15.75 crore.
4. Yuzvendra Chahal | 18 Crore by PBKS
Another former Rajasthan player who got some interest from franchises. Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket-taker in the league, with five teams going after him.
GT and CSK battled over the leggie before PBKS entered the proceedings. With CSK and GT out, LSG tried to get Chahal, but PBKS kept raising the price.
As the price crossed 14.50 crore, Sunrisers Hyderabad made a late entry, further raising the bid to 17.75 crore. PBKS then topped it with 18 crore to secure the services of Chahal.
3. Venkatesh Iyer | 23.75 Crore by KKR
Iyer’s headlined the IPL 2025 Auction with expensive bids for them. Venkatesh was one of them, with KKR shelling 23.75 crore for him.
KKR didn’t retain Venkatesh before the auction, but they were after him from the start. The 2024 champions engaged with LSG and RCB in an intense bidding war, but KKR were steadfast over the all-rounder and snatched him in the end.
2. Shreyas Iyer | 26.75 Crore by PBKS
The other Iyer who set the stage on fire was 2024 title-winning captain Shreyas. He attracted bids from three teams, including his former team KKR.
The Knight Riders opened the bid for Shreyas, with PBKS coming in right after. PBKS exited at 7 crore, with KKR and DC taking the price to 10 crore.
With KKR backing out at 9.75 crore, PBKS re-entered the bidding war, which went on till 26.75 crore.
1. Rishabh Pant | 27 Crore by LSG
Everyone knew Rishabh Pant would go for a lot of money. And it turned out just like that.
The keeper-batter became the most expensive player not just in this auction but in the history of all IPL auctions. LSG splurged a mind-blowing 27 crore for Pant’s services.
LSG were after Pant from the start, with RCB giving a tough fight till 11 crore. Then SRH swooped in, taking the price above 20 crore.
LSG raised the price to 20.75 crore, but then Delhi Capitals used their RTM. This prompted LSG to further increase the bid to 27 crore, but DC opted out and Pant became a Super Giant.
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