IPL 2025 Auction: 3 most expensive buys
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in Jeddah’s Abadi Al Johar Arena set new milestones for player valuations, with franchises spending a whopping INR 639.15 crore to rebuild their teams for the next three seasons. England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler became the most expensive overseas player after being snapped up by Gujarat Titans for INR 15.75 crore. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings had the largest purse of Rs 110.50 crore and hinted at making an altogether new team.
Some players like Jitesh Sharma saw huge price jumps, moving from INR 20 lakh to Rs 11 crore. On the other hand, players like Sam Curran saw their value dropping considerably from the previous auction. On that note, here are the three most expensive buys from the 2025 event:
3. Venkatesh Iyer (INR 23.75 crore)
Venkatesh Iyer registered his name in IPL history by becoming the most expensive Indian all-rounder, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) securing his services for INR 23.75 crore in the 2025 auction. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder who has been part of KKR since 2021, has made a big name for himself in the lucrative league.
Since his IPL debut, Iyer has been a game-changer, crucial in KKR’s championship victory in 2024. In 50 matches, he scored 1,326 runs at a strike rate of 137.13, including one century and eleven half-centuries. The 2024 season was particularly memorable, where he scored 370 runs with four half-centuries, playing a crucial role in breaking KKR’s decade-long title drought. A fierce bidding war involving LSG and RCB ultimately saw KKR retain their prized all-rounder, underlining his immense value.
2. Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crore)
Star Indian batter Shreyas Iyer became the second-most expensive player ever sold at auction, fetching a huge INR 26.75 crore from Punjab Kings. The intense bidding war saw multiple franchises, including his former team Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, compete heavily for the IPL winning skipper.
Starting from a base price of INR 2 crore, Iyer’s valuation skyrocketed during the auction process. The PBKS ultimately secured him after a nail-biting bidding war that surpassed Mitchell Starc’s previous record of INR 24.75 crore from last year.
1. Rishabh Pant (INR 27 crore)
Rishabh Pant made headlines by becoming the most expensive player in Indian Premier League history. After an intense bidding war involving multiple teams including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants, the auction ultimately ended with a battle between SRH and LSG.
The Lucknow-based side made a jaw-dropping bid of INR 27 crore, surpassing Shreyas Iyer’s INR 26.75 crore. Delhi Capitals attempted to retain their star player using the Right to Match (RTM) card but ultimately backed down. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who has already played 111 IPL matches and scored 3,284 runs, continues to be a sought-after talent in the modern-day game.
