Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a bold prediction about Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Starc ahead of the much-awaited IPL 2025 mega auction on November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The upcoming mega auction will feature some of the biggest names in world cricket including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada. All of them are expected to attract huge bids at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Saudi Arabia.
Among the star-studded list, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is set to make the most noise at the table in the upcoming high-stakes IPL 2025 mega auction, according to former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
Irfan Pathan predicts Rishabh Pant to break IPL auction record in Jeddah
The former World Cup winner has predicted that Rishabh Pant will not only break the bank in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction but also surpass Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc to become the most expensive player in IPL history.
Notably, Mitchell Starc was picked up by former champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore in last year’s mini-auction, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.
Starc is currently the most expensive player in IPL history but Irfan Pathan is confident Pant will surpass the Australian pacer and set a new benchmark in the auction. Well, Pant and Starc are both currently gearing up for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, starting with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The left-hander has been in terrific form with the bat and behind the stumps in all three formats of the game since his comeback from a horrific car accident in December 2022.
Rishabh Pant to break Mitchell Starc’s record in IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Irfan Pathan
With his explosive batting, leadership potential and impressive record across formats, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in the upcoming mega auction. The IPL mega auction is set to see intense bidding wars but it is Pant’s name that is dominating the headlines and carving his name into IPL history.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Irfan Pathan has predicted that Mitchell Starc’s IPL auction record is under threat as Rishabh Pant is set to rewrite history in the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The former all-rounder feels that the former Delhi Capitals (DC) captain will break the bank and fetch over INR 25 Crore in the mega auction later this month.
Irfan Pathan wrote in X: “Mitchell Starc’s auction record is in danger. @RishabhPant17 is ready to break it.”
Mitchell Starc’s auction record is in jeopardy. @RishabhPant17 ready to break it!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 18, 2024
Rishabh Pant’s T20 career is briefly highlighted
However, Rishabh Pant’s T20I career was very successful as he scored just 1,209 runs in 76 matches at a modest average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 128, including just three half-centuries. However, his overall T20 record is more impressive.
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In 202 T20 matches, the left-handed batsman has so far amassed 5,022 runs at an average of 31.78 and a strike rate of 145-plus, along with two centuries and 25 half-centuries to his name.
In the IPL, Pant has been a mainstay for Delhi Capitals (DC) since his debut in 2016. In a total of 110 IPL matches, Pant scored 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31, including one century and 18 half-centuries.
