IPL 2025 Mega Auction:
The much-anticipated two-day mega auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is underway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On the first day (November 24), all 10 teams collectively spent a whopping 467.95 crore rupees to acquire 72 players. The auction resumes for its second day on Monday (November 25). Extraordinary sums lavished on three players have shattered every record in IPL history. These players surpassed even Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in their auction price.
The trio making headlines are wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer, and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) claimed Pant with a staggering bid of 27 crores, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.
Shreyas Acquired by Punjab and Venkatesh by KKR
In addition, Shreyas Iyer was snapped up by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a remarkable 26.75 crores, now ranking him as the second most expensive player in IPL history. Venkatesh Iyer followed as the third, purchased by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), for 23.75 crores.
Notably, Venkatesh had been playing for KKR until the last season. However, KKR chose not to retain him, which meant they had to put forth significant efforts to repurchase him at the auction.
Kohli and Sharma’s Current Value
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), stays with the franchise for 21 crores. In contrast, Mumbai Indians (MI) have retained Rohit Sharma—who's led them to five titles—for 16.50 crores.
Post mega auction, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Venkatesh Iyer have surpassed Kohli and Rohit in terms of value. It's worth noting that Mahendra Singh Dhoni, instrumental in winning five titles for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been retained for 4 crores, primarily due to his absence from international cricket over the past five years. Consequently, under new rules, Dhoni is regarded as an uncapped player.
