Rishabh Pant Becomes IPL’s Costliest Player at ₹27 Crore in IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Rishabh Pant made history at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction by becoming the tournament’s most expensive player. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter for an astonishing ₹27 crore. The mega auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marked a significant milestone in IPL history, as Pant’s record-breaking price highlighted his value in the cricketing world.

IPL Auction Abroad: A Growing Trend

This auction was only the second time in IPL’s history that the event was conducted outside India. Following the success of last year’s auction in Dubai, the 2025 edition in Jeddah further solidified the league’s global appeal.

Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc’s Records Surpassed

Before Rishabh Pant's record-breaking bid, Shreyas Iyer briefly held the title of the most expensive player. Punjab Kings acquired Iyer for ₹26.75 crore, surpassing the previous record of ₹24.75 crore held by Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous auction. However, Pant’s ₹27 crore bid quickly eclipsed Iyer’s mark, setting a new benchmark for IPL player valuations.

LSG’s Aggressive Move and Delhi Capitals’ Decision

Lucknow Super Giants’ aggressive bid left Pant’s former team, Delhi Capitals, unable to retain him. Delhi chose not to use their Right to Match (RTM) card, allowing LSG to claim the star wicketkeeper-batter. Pant’s move to LSG is expected to strengthen their squad significantly.

Notable Purchases in IPL 2025 Auction

The auction also saw several other significant purchases:

• Mitchell Starc: The Australian pacer, who had fetched ₹24.75 crore last year, was acquired by Delhi Capitals this time for ₹11.75 crore.

• Jos Buttler: England’s hard-hitting batter was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for ₹15.75 crore.

• Arshdeep Singh: Punjab Kings reclaimed the consistent left-arm seamer for ₹18 crore by exercising their RTM card after an intense bidding war.

• Kagiso Rabada: The South African speedster was secured by Gujarat Titans for ₹10.75 crore.

Shreyas Iyer’s Intense Bidding War

Shreyas Iyer, the former captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore. A fierce bidding war ensued, with Delhi Capitals initially leading with a ₹26 crore bid. However, Punjab Kings ultimately outbid them, securing Iyer for ₹26.75 crore, setting a new record for the tournament’s costliest player—until Pant’s historic bid moments later.

Punjab Kings and Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings initiated another notable bidding war for Arshdeep Singh, starting from his base price of ₹2 crore. After releasing him earlier, Punjab exercised their RTM card to reclaim the left-arm pacer for a massive ₹18 crore, demonstrating their faith in his consistency and potential.

Conclusion

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah was a landmark event, showcasing the increasing value of star players and the intense competition among franchises to build winning teams. Rishabh Pant’s ₹27 crore bid by Lucknow Super Giants not only set a new record but also highlighted his stature as one of the most sought-after players in cricket. The auction also featured notable performances by other players like Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, and Jos Buttler, making it one of the most exciting editions in IPL history.