In a surprising reversal of his illustrious career, James Andersonlegendary England pacer, signed up for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. 1,574 players, 1,165 Indian players and 409 international stars are looking for an IPL contract in the event scheduled to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. At the age of 42, Anderson, who has officially retired from all forms of international cricket, will look to break into the world’s most lucrative cricket league despite his long break from T20 cricket. The move, who has not made a T20 appearance since 2014, has raised eyebrows given his vast experience in the longer formats of the game.
James Anderson talks about his decision to sign up for the IPL 2025 Auction
Anderson’s entry into the IPL auction is a landmark in his post-retirement journey. His playing 42-year-old pacer Final Test match against West Indies At Lord’s in July 2024, he made it clear that he still believes he has more to give to the world of cricket. Despite officially retiring from international cricket, Anderson was confident that he still had a spark left in him. Although his last appearance in T20 international cricket was more than a decade ago, Anderson remains determined to defy age and prove that he can make a significant impact in the IPL.
“There’s something in me that still thinks I can play. I have never done IPL; I’ve never experienced that and I think I have a lot more to give as a player for a couple of reasons.” Anderson told BBC Radio 4 Today.
Also READ: 5 teams who can target James Anderson in IPL 2025 mega auction
While Anderson’s playing days in international cricket are over, he is moving into a new role as a mentor and coach. After retiring from international duties, Anderson spent time in the coaching set-up, particularly with the England team.
This mentorship broadened his perspective on the game and Anderson believed that the experience of playing in the IPL would not only add value to his playing career but also broaden his knowledge as a future coach. He sees the IPL as a chance to observe new aspects of the game, collaborate with players and coaches from different backgrounds and further develop his understanding of cricket.
“After the summer I did some coaching. I’ve been around the England team, doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you want to call it. I think that opening my eyes to something like this and experiencing it can kind of help me improve my knowledge of the game and go further.” Anderson concluded.
Anderson’s previous IPL effort and future aspirations
This is not Anderson’s first foray into the IPL. Back in 2012, he was registered for the IPL auction but was not sold. By then, Anderson had stopped playing T20 internationals in 2009, focusing primarily on Test cricket. His absence from T20 cricket and his focus on longer formats probably influenced the IPL franchises’ decision not to bid for him.
However, Anderson is not letting go of this past failure. Now his international career is behind him and “Test gate closed” Anderson is eager to take on new challenges in a different format. As the IPL 2025 mega auction approaches, Anderson’s entry into the bidding process shows his desire to stick with the game even in a post-game role.
