The IPL 2025 mega auction kicked off with fireworks, delivering enthralling moments and jaw-dropping deals on Day 1. Franchises splurged massive sums on marquee players, while some big names went for surprisingly low prices.
Fans witnessed a mix of strategic moves and bold gambles, as teams fought to secure their ideal squads for the upcoming season. With marquee players featured in the first two sets of the auction, the day unfolded with high drama and record-breaking bids.
From to KL Rahul’s surprisingly modest price tag, Day 1 kept fans on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, franchises looked beyond the headline names, making clever investments to build balanced squads. Here’s a look at the highlights, including the top 10 costliest purchases and the biggest steal deals.
Top 10 Costliest Deals
1. Rishabh Pant to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 27 crore– Pant made history as the costliest player ever in IPL auctions, surpassing Mitchell Starc’s Rs 24.75 crore. Expected to lead LSG, Pant’s acquisition marks a turning point for the franchise after parting ways with KL Rahul.
2. Shreyas Iyer to Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore – PBKS made Shreyas Iyer the second-highest buy, securing their new captain. After leading KKR to the IPL 2024 title, Iyer’s move to Punjab is seen as a step toward another successful campaign.
3. Venkatesh Iyer to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 23.75 crore – Retaining a core player, KKR splurged on Iyer, who has been instrumental in their recent successes. He’s a strong contender for captaincy post-Shreyas Iyer’s departure.
4. Arshdeep Singh to Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore – Using their RTM option, PBKS retained Arshdeep, arguably the world’s best T20I bowler currently, securing their bowling backbone.
5. Yuzvendra Chahal to Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore – Chahal fetched his career-high IPL auction price, strengthening PBKS’s spin attack under Ricky Ponting’s guidance.
6. Jos Buttler to Gujarat Titans for Rs 15.75 crore – The England T20I captain was a significant addition to GT, potentially as their new leader.
7. KL Rahul to Delhi Capitals for Rs 14.25 crore– shocked many, especially with his expected captaincy role at DC following Pant’s departure.
8. Trent Boult to Mumbai Indians for Rs 12.5 crore – Boult’s homecoming bolsters MI’s bowling unit, reuniting him with the five-time champions.
9. Jofra Archer to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 12.5 crore – RR secured Archer to strengthen their pace attack in one of the auction’s surprise inclusions.
10. Josh Hazlewood to Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 12.5 crore – RCB added a world-class bowler to their squad after a quiet start to the auction.
Top 5 Steal Deals
1. KL Rahul to DC for Rs 14.25 crore
For under Rs 15 crore, DC secured an experienced captain and prolific run-scorer. Rahul’s acquisition could redefine DC’s batting and leadership.
2. Devon Conway to CSK for Rs 6.25 crore
Despite a stellar IPL 2024, CSK managed to reacquire Conway at an unexpectedly low price. His consistency at the top order will be vital for CSK.
3. Glenn Maxwell to PBKS for Rs 4.2 crore
PBKS snagged Maxwell, still a T20 powerhouse, for under Rs 5 crore. His versatility with the bat and as a part-time bowler makes him a key asset.
4. Quinton de Kock to KKR for Rs 3.6 crore
KKR secured an experienced wicketkeeper-batter for a fraction of his expected value. The South African’s firepower at the top will complement KKR’s strong batting lineup.
5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz to KKR for Rs 2 crore
Complementing de Kock, Gurbaz added depth to KKR’s batting arsenal. His aggressive style could be a game-changer in powerplay situations.
Day 1 of the IPL 2025 mega auction has set the tone for an exciting season ahead. Fans now eagerly await Day 2 for more surprises and strategic moves from franchises.
