Record-Breaking Bids and Surprising Outcomes: Day 1 of IPL 2025 Auction

The grand IPL 2025 mega auction opened with great fanfare on Day 1 in Saudi Arabia with 84 players going under the hammer. It was a day when Rishabh Pant broke records, as he is now the costliest player in the IPL history. His purchase by Lucknow Super Giants at ₹27 crore dominated all the news headlines.

Shreyas Iyer did not lag in this respect and managed a price of ₹26.75 crore from Punjab Kings (PBKS). The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders also made enough ruckus by retaining Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore. Many prominent players did not find buyers, adding a flavor to the auction drama.

Record-Breaking Bids Highlight Day 1

Records were written on the first day of the auction. Rishabh Pant emerged as the costliest player in the history of IPL, confirming his status as a game-changer. The signing of Shreyas Iyer by PBKS added to the excitement of the day and made him a critical asset for the upcoming season.

KKRs decision to retain Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore reflected their desire to stick to a core group that could repeat their championship-winning performance. Among bowlers, Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh were notable ones who fetched ₹18 crore and have been landmark signings for PBKS.

Uncapped Players Steal the Spotlight

While the big names hogged the headlines, uncapped players did not go unnoticed either. Rasikh Salam Dar, former Delhi Capitals pacer, emerged the most expensive of the uncapped lot from RCB at ₹6 crore. Mumbai Indians also made a significant coup by signing Namar Dhir for ₹5.25 crore with the increasing demand for young talent in the league.

Prominent Players Remain Unsold

The surprising factor was the list of unsold players, which had names like David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and Devdutt Padikkal sitting with no bidders, making cricket enthusiasts and analysts wring their hands in suspense over possible strategies for an accelerated auction.

Other notable ones who did not make it were Kartik Tyagi, Piyush Chawla, and Shreyas Gopal a testament to how unpredictable IPL auctions can be.

Teams’ Budgets and Strategies

The remaining purse for RCB stood at ₹30.65 crore at the end of Day 1, followed closely by Mumbai Indians at ₹26.10 crore and PBKS at ₹22.50 crore. These remaining funds could play a pivotal role in Day 2, which shall see as many as 33 capped players and an accelerated auction phase.

New for this season is the accelerated auction, which will let teams name 25 players to the bidding process, which can be capped and uncapped. This phase promises to realign strategies, especially as franchises try to strengthen their rosters.

The Excitement Continues

The IPL 2025 auction has already provided thrilling moments with records broken and others unfolding that thrill. Fans can continue to watch live cricket free on platforms such as Winexch to stay updated with all the action that goes down. As the day progresses, there will be more concentration on Day 2, wherein more marquee players and emerging stars will make their way to highlight the action.

FAQ

1. Which player became the costliest in IPL history during the auction for 2025?

The most expensive player was Rishabh Pant who was sold by Lucknow Super Giants at ₹27 crore.

2. Which of these big names ended up unsold on Day 1?

Players like David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and Devdutt Padikkal were some of the notable names unsold on Day 1.

3. Which team has the highest available purse at the end of Day 1?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has the biggest remaining purse ₹30.65 crore.

4. What is the accelerated auction in IPL 2025?

The accelerated auction allows teams to name 25 players, blending capped and uncapped options, for a faster bidding process.

5. Where can fans get updates of the IPL 2025 auction?

Fans will be able to watch live cricket for free on platforms like Winexch, to keep track of how auction action unfolds.