Record-Breaking Spending in Jeddah
The 2025 IPL mega auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set new records with a total spend of Rs 639.15 crore. Star players Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore) emerged as the most expensive players of the season. The auction saw a surge in Rs 10 crore-plus bids, with 21 players crossing this mark, doubling the count from the 2022 auction.
The Modified Right-to-Match (RTM) Rule
A significant change in this year’s auction was the modified Right-to-Match (RTM) rule, which allowed the highest bidder to escalate their bid, giving the previous franchise the option to match it. This rule added a layer of complexity to the bidding dynamics. Notable beneficiaries included Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, and Naman Dhir, who were acquired through this mechanism.
Uncapped Players Shine
Uncapped players witnessed a dramatic increase in their base prices. Rasikh Salam Dar, a pacer from Jammu & Kashmir, grabbed attention with a 20-fold increase in his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed him for Rs 6 crore after his stellar performance for Delhi Capitals in 2024, where he claimed nine wickets in 11 matches.
Overseas Talent in Demand
South African players led the overseas picks, with 14 players joining eight teams. Australians followed closely, with 13 players securing contracts. Punjab Kings, coached by Ricky Ponting, signed five Australian players. In contrast, only four of the 22 West Indian players listed were picked, and just one went beyond the base price. Afghanistan players had a notable presence, with six securing contracts, creating the largest Afghan contingent in IPL history.
State Contributions: Karnataka Leads the Pack
The Karnataka State Cricket Association contributed the highest number of Indian players to the auction, with 14 names being sold. Delhi and Rajasthan followed with 10 players each, showcasing the depth of talent across Indian state associations.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Surprising Price Tag
One of the auction’s major surprises was Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to re-sign Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 23.75 crore. The 30-year-old was instrumental in KKR’s 2024 title-winning campaign, scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.80. KKR’s CEO Venky Mysore stated, “Retaining our core players was always part of the plan.”
Impact Player Rule and Declining All-Rounders
The Impact Player rule, now in its third season, has shifted the focus from all-rounders to specialists. This strategic change reduced the number of all-rounders sold, from 77 in 2022 to 61 in 2025. Despite the overall spend increasing from Rs 551.7 crore to Rs 639.15 crore, the amount spent on all-rounders dropped from Rs 193.18 crore to Rs 162 crore. Only nine all-rounders fetched Rs 5 crore or more, compared to 19 in 2022.
Final Thoughts
The IPL 2025 mega auction showcased evolving strategies, record-breaking bids, and shifting team dynamics. With new rules and changing priorities, the league continues to push boundaries, making it one of the most exciting cricket tournaments globally.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)