NEW DELHI: The IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah has set a new benchmark for the highest spending in the league’s history.
182 players have been sold, with the 10 franchises collectively spending Rs 639.15 crore, surpassing the previous record of Rs 551.7 crore from the IPL 2022 mega auction held in Bengaluru.
Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history after Lucknow Super Giants secured him with a record-breaking bid of Rs 27 crore.
Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title earlier this year, briefly held the top spot after Punjab Kings splurged Rs 26.75 crore for his services. However, Pant overtook Iyer with LSG’s Rs 25 lakh higher bid.
Both players entered the IPL 2025 auction following differences with their respective teams. While Iyer is expected to captain Punjab Kings, Pant is also likely to lead his new franchise, LSG.
Delhi Capitals attempted to retain their former icon by using the Right To Match card at Rs 20.75 crore. However, when LSG raised the bid to Rs 27 crore, DC chose not to match the offer, making Pant the league’s costliest-ever player.
In the IPL 2022 auction, a total of 204 players were sold across two days, with Ishan Kishan fetching the top bid of Rs 15.25 crore, returning to the Mumbai Indians.
Deepak Chahar became the most expensive Indian pacer ever purchased, rejoining Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14 crore. KKR acquired Shreyas Iyer for Rs 12.25 crore.
Overseas stars Liam Livingstone, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Nicholas Pooran were among the big earners, while Avesh Khan’s Rs 10 crore deal with Lucknow Super Giants made him the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history.
