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Published 19:40 IST, November 23rd 2024

IPL 2025 Auction: Focus on Top T20 Cricketers, When And Where To Watch? Full Details

This year’s auction will feature 577 cricketers, with 367 Indians and 210 overseas players. Punjab Kings will enter the auction with the highest purse balance.

Reported by: Business Desk
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IPL 2025 Auction
IPL 2025 Auction | Image: X

The highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to take place this weekend at the Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled for Sunday and Monday, the auction will kick off at 3:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST), and fans across India can catch all the live action through streaming services and television broadcasts.

A Total of 577 Cricketers to Go Under the Hammer

This year’s auction will feature 577 cricketers, with 367 Indians and 210 overseas players. However, only 204 slots—including 70 for foreign players—will be filled across the 10 IPL franchises. As the IPL auction happens once every three years, this is a significant opportunity for teams to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. The auction is expected to see fierce competition, with a variety of experienced players and fresh talents vying for lucrative deals. The focus will be on top T20 specialists who have proven themselves in leagues around the world, making them highly coveted by franchises.

Team Purse Status and RTM Cards

Among the 10 IPL franchises, Punjab Kings will enter the auction with the highest purse balance of Rs 110.5 crore. The team also has the most vacant slots (23) after retaining just two uncapped players. This gives Punjab Kings a significant advantage in terms of flexibility, allowing them to fill their roster with a range of experienced and emerging players.
On the other end of the spectrum, Rajasthan Royals will head into the auction with the smallest purse of Rs 41 crore. The franchise has already used up all its Right-to-Match (RTM) options and retained the maximum number of players, leaving them with limited flexibility. Other teams like the Kolkata Knight Riders have also utilised their full retention slots, meaning they will have fewer RTM opportunities. However, Kolkata Knight Riders still hold a reasonable purse of Rs 51 crore for the auction.

High-Profile Players to Watch
The IPL 2025 auction will begin with the 12 marquee players, all of whom are expected to attract massive bids. Some of the biggest names include Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc, and David Miller. Notably, the auction will see the return of players who have previously captained their respective teams, including Pant, Rahul, and Iyer, all of whom are listed at the highest reserve price of ₹2 crore.
These high-profile players will be the highlight of the auction, and their potential bidding wars are set to be a major attraction for fans and teams alike.

Unsold Players and Accelerated Rounds
In a twist to the auction process, unsold players can re-enter the bidding pool for accelerated rounds. Teams will have the option to submit names for these rounds, creating further opportunities for players who might have initially missed out on a deal.

Where to Watch the Auction Live

The IPL 2025 auction will be broadcast on major Indian sports channels and live-streamed across digital platforms. Fans will be able to watch all the action as teams strategize to pick the best talent available. The IPL 2025 auction promises to be an exciting affair, with franchises having a range of options to fill their squads for the upcoming season. With a mix of big names and new faces, this year’s auction will set the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of the Indian Premier League.

Updated 19:40 IST, November 23rd 2024