History was made in Jeddah today on the IPL 2025 Auction, as Rishabh Pant broke all previous records to become the most expensive player in the IPL 2025 Auction. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering ₹27 crore (approximately USD 3.21 million), which will set a new benchmark in the league’s history.
The 26-time record bid by Pant eclipsed PBKS’s ₹26.75 crore (approximately USD 3.18 million) buy for Shreyas Iyer earlier in the day. Both teams were desperately seeking captains, which made such astronomical prices a given. With this, Pant and Iyer went past the previous highest bid of ₹24.75 crore for Mitchell Starc in last year’s auction.
Bidding War for Pant: Becomes Most Expensive Player in the IPL 2025 Auction
The contest for Pant started between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Soon after RCB dropped out, Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the fray. A bidding war between SRH and LSG drove the price to ₹20.75 crore before SRH exited.
During this stage, Delhi Capitals afforded the opportunity to use the Right-to-Match card under new rules, but LSG raised the stakes to ₹27 crore, forcing DC to bow out. This made Pant the most expensive player in IPL 2025 Auction and confirmed his spot in LSG’s squad.
“This was part of our strategy,” said Shashwat Goenka, LSG’s owner. “We wanted a number that would make the RTM irrelevant, and it worked .”
Shreyas Iyer Joins Punjab Kings
Shreyas Iyer went to Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore, making him the IPL 2025 Auction’s second most expensive buy. PBKS, which had the biggest purse of ₹110.5 crore, outbid Delhi Capitals in a fierce battle. Iyer, who led KKR to the title, is all set to take up the captaincy mantle for PBKS.
PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting expressed excitement about reuniting with Iyer. “He’s a proven leader and championship winner. I’m thrilled to work with him again,” Ponting said.
Surprise Performances and Big Buys
The IPL 2025 Auction had surprises in store. All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer returned to KKR for an astronomical ₹23.75 crore, catapulting him to the third most expensive player in IPL 2025 Auction, while the Jos Buttler moved to Gujarat Titans for ₹15.75 crore, coupled with Shubman Gill at the opening slot.
Delhi Capitals, too, made some massive buys, getting KL Rahul for ₹14 crore and Mitchell Starc for ₹11.75 crore. Starc, thus, came for much cheaper this season as compared to his record bid amount in 2024. “They are actually gonna be game-changers for our campaign,” DC head coach Hemang Badani hailed the additions.
Mixed Fortunes for Teams
While a few splurged, some were cautious. Punjab Kings were the aggressors with three purchases, roping in Yuzvendra Chahal for ₹18 crore. Gujarat Titans were not far behind as they signed Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj. And surprisingly, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals didn’t splash any cash on the big buys.
Unsold Stars
Yet big names remained unsold amidst the serious bidding. While David Warner and Jonny Bairstow did not attract any bids, they might just return in the accelerated rounds. Another notable name that did not find a buyer in the opening phase was Devdutt Padikkal.
Rishabh Pant, who went to be the most expensive player in the IPL 2025 Auction, has set the tone for a record-breaking season. The auction will move into filling up the squads with the perfect blend of experience and talent. Watch this space as the action unfolds in IPL 2025 Auction.
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When and where to watch IPL 2025 auction live?
