IPL 2025 Mega Auction Day 1: Record-Breaking Deals and Major Team Moves

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The IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, kicked off with a historic Day 1, where the ten franchises spent a staggering ₹467.95 crore. The day was marked by record-breaking bids, with Indian stars dominating the auction. Rishabh Pant Breaks Records Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history, bagging an unprecedented ₹27 crore deal with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Delhi Capitals (DC) attempted to retain Pant using the Right-to-Match (RTM) card at ₹20.75 crore but chose not to match LSG's overwhelming bid. Pant's purchase surpassed Shreyas Iyer's ₹26.75 crore acquisition by Punjab Kings (PBKS), who briefly held the record before LSG's landmark signing. Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer Among Top Buys. Shreyas Iyer, a pivotal player who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL 2024 title, joined PBKS for ₹26.75 crore. Meanwhile, KKR retained their core by securing Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore, further reinforcing their squad for the upcoming season.

 Other Notable Buys

Yuzvendra Chahal fetched ₹18 crore, joining PBKS through an RTM card.

KL Rahul was picked by DC for ₹14 crore, while Mohammed Siraj joined Gujarat Titans (GT) for ₹12.25 crore.

England’s Jos Buttler went to GT for ₹15.75 crore, and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for ₹12.50 crore.

Strategic Team Building

The franchises focused on balancing their squads with tactical purchases. LSG added Aiden Markram and David Miller to complement their lineup, while PBKS secured Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.

Remaining Auction Highlights

A total of 84 players from the roster of 577 were presented on Day 1, with 68 sold and 16 going unsold. Teams aimed to finalize their squads within the allocated salary cap, ensuring a mix of experienced players and rising talents.

Unsold Players

Big names like David Warner, Devdutt Padikkal, and Jonny Bairstow remained unsold, leaving fans speculating about possible surprises on Day 2.

Day 2 Expectations

With several slots still open and purse balances varying across franchises, Day 2 is expected to see accelerated bidding, especially for uncapped and international players.

The auction showcased the franchises’ determination to build winning squads, setting the stage for an exciting IPL 2025 season.