With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction just around the corner, the excitement among franchises is building up, especially with a strong pool of high-profile players set to go under the hammer. The IPL’s ever-growing allure means that teams are willing to spend big to secure top talent, and this year, the spotlight is on wicketkeeper-batters.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Wicketkeeper-batters set to spark bidding wars

Due to the IPL’s restriction on retaining a maximum of six players per franchise, many teams have had to make tough decisions, resulting in several key players, particularly wicketkeeper-batters, being released into the auction pool. Only a handful of franchises have opted to retain their wicketkeepers, meaning the auction will witness fierce competition for some of the best gloveman in the world.

These players offer a rare combination of top-order batting power and reliable keeping skills, making them highly valuable in T20 cricket. With an increase in franchises’ appetite for balanced squads and multi-skilled players, the bidding war for these wicketkeepers is expected to be intense, with teams aiming to strengthen both their top order and fielding units for the 2025 season.

Top 5 wicketkeepers teams can target in the auction

1. Ishan Kishan

Base Price: INR 2 Crores
Released by: Mumbai Indians

Kishan has proven himself to be an exciting talent in the IPL, known for his aggressive opening battership. Over the last three seasons, Kishan has been a consistent contributor for Mumbai, with his ability to accelerate the innings from the start. In 2022, he scored 418 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.2, including three half-centuries. His performance improved in 2023, as he accumulated 454 runs from 15 innings at an average of 30.3, including three fifties.

In 2024, Kishan’s form slightly dipped as he managed 320 runs from 14 matches at a lower average of 22.9. Despite this, his explosive batting in the powerplay and his wicketkeeping abilities make him a valuable commodity in the IPL, especially for teams that are looking for a wicketkeeper-batter who can handle the pressure of the top order. Kishan has a total of 2264 runs from 105 innings in the IPL, with an average of 28.43 and a strike rate of 135.87, demonstrating his overall consistency and ability to impact matches.

2. If Buttler

Base Price: INR 2 Crores
Released by: Rajasthan Royals

Buttler’s release by Rajasthan Royals (RR) was one of the biggest surprises leading into the IPL 2025 auction. Buttler has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL over the last few years, known for his explosive batting and match-winning innings. In 2022, he was in sensational form, scoring 863 runs at an average of 57.5 across 17 matches, which included four fifties and an impressive strike rate of 149.5.

Though his form dipped slightly in 2023, he still managed to score 392 runs at an average of 39.2 in 14 matches, including three half-centuries. Buttler found his groove again in 2024, contributing 359 runs from 11 matches at an average of 32.6, which included two match-winning centuries. Over the last three seasons, Buttler has scored a total of 1614 runs from 42 innings, with an average of 46.6 and a strike rate of 145.6, showcasing his consistency and ability to deliver when it matters the most.

3. Rishabh Pant

Base Price: INR 2 Crores
Released by: Delhi Capitals

Pant has been a standout performer for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL, and although he was unavailable for the 20243season due to injury, his past IPL performances make him an attractive prospect in the 2025 auction. Pant has been a consistent run-scorer, scoring over 300 runs in almost every IPL season since his debut. In 2024, Pant scored 446 runs in just 13 matches, showcasing his ability to provide stability and power in the middle order.

Pant’s aggressive batting, combined with his leadership experience, makes him an appealing option for any team looking for an Indian wicketkeeper-batter with leadership potential. His base price of INR 2 crores is likely to spark a bidding war, especially as franchises look to fill their middle-order spots with a reliable player who can also take charge in pressure situations. Pant’s ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries at key moments is invaluable for any IPL franchise.

4. Quinton de Kock

Base Price: INR 2 Crores
Released by: Lucknow Super Giants

De Kock is a seasoned campaigner in the IPL, having played 107 matches and scored over 3000 runs. Although his recent performances in the IPL have been somewhat below expectations, de Kock remains a dangerous opening batter with the ability to change the course of a match in a matter of overs. His experience and consistent performances with teams like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) make him a valuable option for any team looking to strengthen their top order.

De Kock’s recent IPL performances have shown some variation. In 2022, he was in excellent form, scoring 508 runs at an average of 36.3 from 15 matches, including four half-centuries. The following year, in 2023, he struggled in a limited number of matches, managing 143 runs at an average of 35.8 from just 4 innings. However, in 2024, he found some rhythm again, contributing 250 runs from 11 matches at an average of 22.7, including three half-centuries. Over the last three seasons, de Kock has scored a total of 901 runs, with an average of 31.1 and a strike rate of 143.2, demonstrating his ability to provide aggressive starts.

5. KL Rahul

Base Price: INR 2 Crores
Released by: Lucknow Super Giants

Rahul is one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, and his release by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2025 mega auction has come as a surprise to many. Rahul has been a fixture in the IPL for several seasons, with his ability to anchor the innings and score at a healthy strike rate making him a valuable asset to any franchise. He is known for his elegant stroke play, solid technique, and ability to handle pressure situations, making him one of the most sought-after players in the auction.

Rahul’s IPL journey has been impressive. In 2022, he scored 616 runs in 14 matches at an average of 51.33, including four half-centuries and two hundreds with a strike rate of 136.13, leading Lucknow as captain. Even in 2023, Rahul remained consistent before getting ruled out due to injury, amassing 274 runs from 9 matches at an average of 34.25, including two fifties.

In 2024, although he had a slower start to the season, Rahul managed to score 520 runs from 14 matches at an average of 37.14, providing stability at the top of the order for Lucknow. His ability to perform consistently across seasons has made him a key player in the IPL. Rahul’s leadership skills, combined with his solid batting technique, make him a prime target for franchises looking to build around a reliable opener.

Rahul has a total of 3479 runs from 132 innings in the IPL over the past three seasons, with an average of 45.47 and a strike rate of 134.9, making him one of the most dependable and effective batter in the league.