The long awaited IPL 2025 Mega Auction is set to feature a whopping 574 players, offering franchises a chance to rebuild their squads for next season. The auction will take place over two days, November 24 and 25, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the event is being held outside India. Proceedings will begin at 12:30pm local time on Sunday, November 24, 2024, promising an action-packed bidding war.
Splitting the player pool
The auction pool includes a diverse mix of capped, uncapped and other players, highlighting the global nature of the league. Out of a total of 574 players, 366 are Indians and 208 are overseas, including three from the associated countries.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the players:
- Indian players in attendance: 48
- Players involved overseas: 193
- Associated players: 3
- Indian uncapped players: 318
- Overseas players without football: 12
With 204 spots to fill across all squads, including 70 spots available for overseas players, franchises will have ample opportunity to build balanced squads.
Reserve price brackets and competition
The highest reserve price for the auction has been set at INR 2 Crore, with 81 players opting for this elite category. Another important group includes the players with a reserve price of INR 1.50 Crore, especially with South African power hitter David Miller. The remaining players have categorized themselves into lower reserve price groups, providing a wide range of options for teams with different budget strategies.
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In the spotlight the marquee players
A total of 12 marquee players have been split into two groups, promising to kick off the auction with intense bidding wars:
Set M1: This group features some of the most sought-after names in world cricket, including:
- If Buttler: The dynamic strike of England’s goalkeepers
- Shreyas Iyer: India’s classy middle-order batsman
- Rishabh Pants: India’s explosive batsman is returning from injury
- Kagiso Rabada: South African pace spearhead
- Arshdeep Singh: India’s emerging death specialist
- Mitchell Starc: Australia’s premier left-arm pacer
Set M2: The marquee second set is equally star-studded with a mix of experienced players and game-changers:
- Yuzvendra Chahal: India’s premier leg-spinner
- Liam Livingstone: The England batting all-rounder
- David Miller: South Africa’s ‘Finisher’ at a reserve price of INR 1.50
- KL Rahul: India’s top order all-purpose batter
- Mohammed Shami: India’s seasoned pacer
- Muhammed Siraj: India’s growing fast bowling sensation
These marquee players are expected to attract stiff offers from all franchises, with several teams likely to build their plans around these match-winners.
Expectations from the auction
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is all set to be one of the most exciting in the history of the tournament. With a mix of seasoned veterans, emerging talents and global superstars, the franchises will aim to strike the right balance between experience and youth. Fans around the world will be watching eagerly as teams battle to secure the services of their favorite players. The auction not only sets the scene for the upcoming IPL season, but also highlights the growing global appeal of the tournament, as evidenced by its hosting in Saudi Arabia.
