IPL Auction 2025: Records Shattered, Stars Rise, and Teams Bet Big in Jeddah

IPL Auction 2025 broke records as Rishabh Pant fetched ₹27 crore, Shreyas Iyer sparked bidding wars, and pace remained prized.

The historical day of cricket was witnessed on November 24 when the 2025 IPL Mega Auction was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Day 1 saw jaw-dropping bids, strategic gambles, and unexpected turns as franchises splurged a whopping ₹467.95 crore on 72 players. At the heart of the action were standout moments that have already become defining narratives for this auction.

Pant Makes History with Record-Breaking Bid

Rishabh Pant was the apt poster boy for the evening. Released by Delhi Capitals on retention day, the wicketkeeper-batter triggered an intense bidding war his price went ahead to a record ₹27 crore. Lucknow Super Giants, who had released KL Rahul, showed no hesitation in splurging this amount to get hold of the dynamic batter. Delhi managed to stave off Pant by using the Right To Match (RTM) card at ₹20.75 crore, but LSG’s relentlessness won it. Owner Sanjeev Goenka called this acquisition a “game-changer.”

This record-breaking bid underlines Pant’s stature as one of the most craved players in contemporary cricket. Explosive batting and adept keeping skills made him the focal point of a dramatic auction battle that was to be the game-changer.

Shreyas Iyer: The Expected Auction Bash

Another superstar to attract extreme interest was Shreyas Iyer. Just off the back of winning the IPL title for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, Iyer was going to attract aggressive bids by franchises to further strengthen their hands with his leadership and batting capabilities. Punjab Kings (PBKS), desperate to regroup having retained a mere couple of players, managed to buy Iyer for ₹26.75 crore. This also reunites Iyer with Ricky Ponting, who was last seen working together for Delhi Capitals in 2021, and promises exciting prospects for this northern franchise.

Faith of KKR in Venkatesh Iyer

While Shreyas Iyer shifted camps, KKR got on the news for retaining Venkatesh Iyer at a ridiculous price. Budget constraints or not, KKR had recognized the value of an all-rounder, more so after his great performances during the championship-winning season. When expensive, though, this reflects a commitment from the franchises to hold onto their winning core.

The Rise of Jitesh Sharma

Among the biggest surprises of the night was Jitesh Sharma, who was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping ₹11 crore, going the biggest gainer overnight. For those who know him, Sharma has been known for his acceleration in the middle overs and games-winner under pressure. His increase well reflects the increasing awareness of plus adaptability in domestic talent in the IPL ecosystem.

Pace Continues to Rule :

Pace bowlers again dominated the attention, and teams battled to get the best. The auction once more validated the value of raw speed and flexibility, reflecting changed strategies targeted at aggressive bowling attacks.

Strategic Bets and Risks

Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants pursued aggressive rebuilds, while others like KKR focused on continuity. The balancing act between star power and depth is an important takeaway as teams march forward to a highly competitive season.

Looking Ahead

Day 1 of the 2025 IPL auction has set the stage for an exhilarating season, with teams recalibrating strategies and bolstering lineups. Records shattered in Jeddah echo the IPL’s relentless evolution, showcasing its ability to redefine cricketing benchmarks. Day 2 promises to add more twists to an already thrilling auction saga.

Here’s a look at the top 10 most expensive players in IPL history.