Much anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction is set to feature a whopping 574 players, offering franchises a chance to rebuild their squads for the upcoming season. The auction will be held over two days on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is the first time the event is being held outside India. The process will begin on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 12:30 local time and promises an action-packed bidding war.
Player pool collapse
The auction pool includes a diverse mix of capped, uncapped and affiliated players, highlighting the global nature of the league. Out of a total of 574 players, 366 are from India and 208 are from abroad, including three from associate countries.
Here is a detailed overview of the players:
- Indian players: 48
- Foreign players: 193
- Supporting players: 3
- Indian players without wickets: 318
- Inexperienced foreign players: 12
With 204 slots to fill all teams, including 70 available spots for overseas players, franchises will have plenty of options to build balanced squads.
Reserve price brackets and competition
The highest reserve price for the auction was set at INR 2 Crore and 81 players opted for this elite category. Another significant bracket includes players with a reserve price of INR 1.50 Crore, notably South African David Miller. The rest of the players have slotted themselves into lower stock price brackets, providing a wide range of options for teams with different budget strategies.
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Attention marquee players
A total of 12 marquee players, divided into two groups, promised to start the auction with intense bidding wars:
M1 kit: This set features some of the most sought-after names in world cricket, including:
- If Buttler: England’s dynamic goalkeeper
- Shreyas Iyer: India’s stylish middle order batsman
- Rishabh Pants: India’s explosive wicketkeeper returns from injury
- Kagiso Rabada: The speed of South Africa
- Arshdeep Singh: India’s emerging death expert
- Mitchell Starc: Australia’s best left arm pacer
M2 kit: The second marquee set is equally star-studded with a mix of experienced players and game-changers:
- Yuzvendra Chahal: India’s leading leg spinner
- Liam Livingstone: England’s all-round batsman
- David Miller: South Africa’s ‘finisher’ with a reserve price of INR 1.50 Crore
- KL Rahul: India’s versatile premium pastry
- Mohammed Shami: India’s experienced pacer
- Mohammad Siraj: India’s rising fast bowling sensation
These marquee players are expected to attract fierce bids from all franchises, with several teams strategizing their plans around the winners of this match.
Expectations from the auction
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the history of the tournament. With a mix of seasoned veterans, new talent and global superstars, franchises will look to strike the right balance between experience and youth. Fans from all over the world will be watching the teams as they battle to secure the services of their favorite players. The auction not only sets the stage for the upcoming IPL season, but also highlights the growing global appeal of the tournament, as evidenced by its hosting in Saudi Arabia.
