The IPL Auction 2025 was nothing short of a thrilling blockbuster! From record-breaking signings to unexpected snubs, cricket fans worldwide were glued to their screens, witnessing one of the most exciting IPL auctions ever.
This year, the IPL Auction 2025 date was December 19-20, 2024, and it took place at the Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia—marking the first-ever IPL auction held in the Middle East. With massive budgets, intense bidding wars, and shocking player decisions, this auction reshaped the IPL landscape for the upcoming season.
Missed out on the action? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know—from the IPL Auction 2025 players list, highest bids, sold players, and teams’ smart strategies.
Let’s break it all down!
IPL Auction 2025 Date, Time, and Venue: When & Where It Happened?
- Venue: Abady Al-Johar Arena, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Dates: December 19-20, 2024
- Start Time: 3:30 PM IST
With the IPL expanding globally, the decision to host the IPL Auction 2025 in Jeddah marked a historic moment in cricketing history. The atmosphere was electric, with franchise owners, team analysts, and cricket legends going all out to build their dream teams.
And guess what? The money flowed like never before!
Most Expensive Buys of IPL Auction 2025: Who Broke the Bank?
Every year, some players smash records with their price tags. This time, we saw the biggest IPL buy ever!
Here are the top 5 most expensive signings in IPL Auction 2025:
|
Player |
Team |
Price (₹ Crore) |
|
Rishabh Pant |
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | ₹ 27.00 Crore |
| Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
₹ 26.75 Crore |
|
Jos Buttler |
Gujarat Titans (GT) | ₹ 15.75 Crore |
| Mitchell Starc | Delhi Capitals (DC) |
₹ 11.80 Crore |
|
Andre Russell |
Mumbai Indians (MI) |
₹ 12.50 Crore |
Rishabh Pant Creates History!
₹27 CRORE! That’s what Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) paid for Rishabh Pant, making him the most expensive player in IPL history! His aggressive batting, match-winning ability, and captaincy experience made him the hottest property in this year’s auction.
Shreyas Iyer Cashes In!
Punjab Kings (PBKS) went all-in for Shreyas Iyer, making him the second-most expensive player at ₹26.75 crore. PBKS has struggled with consistency, and they’re hoping Iyer will anchor their middle order and turn them into serious contenders.
Full IPL Auction 2025 Sold Players List: Who Went Where?
Here’s a detailed look at the biggest signings from the IPL Auction 2025:
|
Player |
Team |
Price (₹ Crore) |
|
Rishabh Pant |
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | ₹ 27.00 Crore |
| Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
₹ 26.75 Crore |
|
Jos Buttler |
Gujarat Titans (GT) | ₹ 15.75 Crore |
| Mitchell Starc | Delhi Capitals (DC) |
₹ 11.80 Crore |
|
Andre Russell |
Mumbai Indians (MI) | ₹ 12.50 Crore |
| Kagiso Rabada | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) |
₹ 13.20 Crore |
|
Jofra Archer |
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | ₹ 5.20 Crore |
| Steve Smith | Rajasthan Royals (RR) |
₹ 6.20 Crore |
|
Chris Lynn |
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | ₹ 4.50 Crore |
| David Willey | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) |
₹ 3.80 Crore |
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Big Gamble!
Sunrisers Hyderabad bet big on pace, picking up both Kagiso Rabada (₹13.2 crore) and Jofra Archer (₹5.2 crore). If both stay injury-free, SRH might just have the most lethal bowling attack this season!
The Most Shocking Unsold Players of IPL Auction 2025!
Not every superstar found a buyer this season. Some big names went unsold, leaving fans in disbelief!
Players Who Went Unsold in IPL Auction 2025:
- Moeen Ali – No team showed interest in the English all-rounder
- Adil Rashid – One of the world’s top spinners, but no takers!
- Jonny Bairstow – Despite his aggressive batting, he remained unsold
Moral of the story? IPL teams prioritized squad balance over big names this year.
IPL Auction 2025: Winners & Losers!
Biggest Winners
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Signed Rishabh Pant, the biggest buy in IPL history
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Built an unbeatable bowling lineup with Rabada & Archer
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – Secured Andre Russell, one of the best all-rounders in the game
Biggest Losers
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Couldn’t land any marquee signings due to budget constraints
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Struggled to make any big-impact buys
What’s Next for IPL 2025?
With the IPL Auction 2025 wrapped up and all teams finalizing their squads, the focus now shifts to preparations for the grand tournament ahead. The excitement is just beginning, and here’s what to expect in the coming weeks as we gear up for another thrilling season of IPL action!
Pre-Season Training Camps Begin – March 2025
As soon as the auction dust settles, teams will kickstart their pre-season training camps in early March 2025. These camps are crucial for teams to fine-tune their strategies, experiment with batting line-ups and bowling combinations, and integrate newly signed players into the squad.
For overseas players, adjusting to Indian conditions is a top priority, especially for pacers and spinners who need to adapt to pitch conditions across different venues. Fitness sessions, intra-squad matches, and tactical discussions will dominate these early days, as coaches work to bring team chemistry to its peak before the season opener.
IPL 2025 Official Schedule Release – Mid-March 2025
Fans are eagerly waiting for the official IPL 2025 match schedule, which is expected to be released by mid-March. While some match venues and key fixtures might already be rumored, the official confirmation will set the stage for marquee clashes, including fan-favorite rivalries like MI vs CSK, RCB vs KKR, and GT vs LSG.
The release of the schedule also means ticket sales will go live, so expect an instant online rush as fans compete to grab seats for the biggest games.
IPL 2025 Opening Match – Late March 2025
The first match of IPL 2025 will likely take place in late March, setting the tone for the high-intensity season ahead. Traditionally, the defending champions play the opening match, but with so many high-profile teams in contention, IPL 2025’s first game could be one of the most exciting season openers in recent memory.
BONUS NEWS: A Star-Studded IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony!
As if the cricketing action wasn’t enough, the IPL 2025 opening ceremony is shaping up to be a glamorous affair! Sources suggest that the event will feature top Bollywood celebrities, international pop stars, and jaw-dropping performances to kickstart the season in style.
With previous IPL ceremonies featuring stars like Shah Rukh Khan, and AR Rahman, and international icons like Katy Perry, expect an electrifying evening of music, dance, and entertainment before the cricket action begins!
Final Thoughts: IPL Auction 2025 Raises the Stakes for the Season Ahead!
The IPL Auction 2025 gave us history-making buys, shocking snubs, and game-changing strategies. Now, the biggest question remains:
Will these mega-signings translate into IPL success?
With a fresh mix of superstars, young talent, and tactical buys, IPL 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons ever!
What did you think of the IPL Auction 2025? Did your favorite team make the right buys?
