The IPL 2025 mega auction, anticipated for months, is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. According to reports from the BCCI, the event will bring several high-profile stars, including Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh, under the hammer for the upcoming season.
IPL Auction Highlights and Player Availability
This season, the auction will have a budget pool of Rs 641.5 crore, shared among the ten franchises. There are 204 slots available, with 70 earmarked for overseas players. With the recent retentions announced, a total of 46 players were retained by franchises at a combined cost of Rs 558.5 crore, shaping an exciting roster for the auction.
Notable Retentions and Key Players Released
South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen leads the pack as the most expensive retention at Rs 23 crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Virat Kohli remains the highest-paid Indian retention at Rs 21 crore by Royal Challengers Bangalore. This season, Kohli is expected to lead RCB, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Meanwhile, captains Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer were released by their franchises, setting the stage for an intense bidding war. Pant, in particular, is expected to attract significant attention and bids due to his remarkable skills and leadership.
Franchise Budgets and Strategies
Punjab Kings enter the auction with the largest purse, approximately Rs 110 crore, after retaining two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, for Rs 9.5 crore combined. Each franchise will be strategizing carefully with their budgets to secure top talent and strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.
With the IPL auction moving to Riyadh, it marks an exciting new chapter for the tournament, further solidifying its global reach and appeal. Fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to see how the squads shape up for the 2025 season.
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