As the IPL 2025 mega auction approaches on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, all eyes are on the marquee players expected to fetch record-breaking bids.

Who will be the costliest buy at IPL 2025 mega auction?

Among the 577 players in the poolShreyas Iyer, the former captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is predicted to be the most expensive buy in the auction.

Iyer has proven his worth as a dynamic batsman and a successful leader. With 115 IPL matches under his belt, he has amassed 3,127 runs at an impressive average, including 21 half-centuries, and maintained a solid strike rate of 127.48. His leadership acumen was pivotal in guiding KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure.

Despite his achievements, KKR released Iyer to explore other team dynamics, setting the stage for an intense bidding war. His base price of ₹2 crore is dwarfed by predictions that he could surpass his previous auction price of ₹12.25 crore from 2022. AI has predicted that Iyer will attract bids between ₹27-28 crore, with Preity Zinta co-owned Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) among the likely frontrunners. Both teams are in need of a strong captain and marquee player to bolster their squads.

Other big names to watch at IPL 2025 mega auction

The auction is also predicted to have a fierce competition among these international stars:

• Rishabh Pant: Released by Delhi Capitals (DC), Pant is predicted to fetch bids around ₹20 crore.
• KL Rahul: A consistent performer with 4,198 IPL runs in 111 matches, Rahul’s versatility as a top-order batter ensures he will be in high demand.
• Mitchell Starc: The Australian speedster is likely to ignite bidding wars due to his ability to strike in the powerplay and death overs, qualities every team desires in their bowling arsenal.

IPL 2025 Auction Dynamics

With more than 500 players in the auction pool and a purse of ₹120 crore per franchise, this auction offers ample opportunities for teams to reshape their strategies. Franchises like Punjab Kingsarmed with ₹110.5 crore after retaining only two players, are expected to aggressively pursue stars like Iyer and Starc.

This year’s auction will emphasize striking a balance between retaining experienced performers and investing in promising young talent. The stakes are high, and the anticipation is palpable as the cricketing world waits to see who will emerge as the costliest player in IPL history.