IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Predictions on the Most Expensive Player, Featuring Pant, Buttler, and Others

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: The cricketing world is abuzz with predictions as the highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled to occur in Jeddah on November 24-25.

The auction pool has 574 names, but few are record-breakers. Here are the top five players projected to earn large offers and their prospects of becoming the most costly.

Who are the most promising candidates for the title of the most expensive player in the 2025 Indian Premier League?

Rishabh Pant

Since his return to competitive cricket, Rishabh Pant has been in incredible form. Pant dominated the Delhi Capitals last season, scoring 446 runs at a strike rate of 155.40, which opened up a significant opportunity for other franchises to acquire him.

Pant is a highly valued asset due to his wicketkeeping and leadership abilities. Pant is the leading candidate to shatter records at this auction, as numerous teams require a captain and a match-winner.

Jos Buttler

World-renowned T20 star Jos Buttler remains in demand. Buttler’s explosive batting has made him a reliable IPL player. Buttler’s ability to close innings gives him an edge. Buttler might start a bidding war, making him a close second on our list, as many teams want a top-order juggernaut.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, who led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title, possesses leadership qualities. Iyer’s impressive domestic performances, which include recent Ranji Trophy centuries, render him an intriguing selection. Iyer’s aptitude is an ideal match for teams that require both a captain and a reliable middle-order batter, as he is a middle-order mainstay.

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc has received huge bids, including a ₹24.75 crore offer from KKR last year, setting the record for the most expensive IPL player. Starc can earn another big compensation because many teams require an experienced pacer.

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh is a reliable left-arm bowler in T20Is, with 95 wickets in 60 appearances. He had his best IPL season with 19 wickets, making him a team target. Punjab Kings would likely use their Right to Match (RTM) card to sign him, but other teams with more resources may challenge them.

Kagiso Rabada

In 2023 and 2024, Kagiso Rabada, the sixth-highest overseas bowler in the IPL, struggled despite being the third-highest wicket-taker in 2022. Even Rabada, who took 18 wickets in 17 IPL 2023 and 2024 matches at 33.56 and 9.29, is unlikely to top this list.

Dogecoin Surges as Whales Make Big Buys: Future Predictions

Which competitors have the most expensive base price at the auction?

In the auction’s highest category, 23 Indian players have a base price of INR 2 crore. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj are notable Indian players.

The INR 2 crore list includes Steven Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Matt Henry, Adam Zampa, Trent Boult, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Jonny Bairstow.

James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has registered himself at a base price of INR 1.25 crore. Anderson has never participated in the Indian Premier League. The base price for Rachin Ravindra, a New Zealand star, is INR 1.5 crore. Intriguingly, the auction does not include two current England superstars, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

What are the retention rule and the RTM rule in the auction?

In November, each team could keep six people using the RTM (Right To Match) card before or after the auction. Five of these individuals can receive caps, while two can remain uncapped.

RTM works as follows. If a player is acquired by another club during the super auction, the IPL 2024 franchise can match the offer. After the mega auction, the franchise that bought the athlete can bid any amount. The prior organization can buy the player by matching the increased offer.

Top 10 Test Cricket Batsmen with the Most Sixes