Indian openers are among the most vital members of an IPL XI.
No matter how much a team invests in overseas players, an IPL XI will always be strong when it has quality Indian players in each department. It has been one of the features of all IPL-winning sides over the years.
So, come the IPL 2025 mega auction, the focus will again be on strengthening the Indian department. Among them will be openers since almost every team needs one or both quality players at the top, and if they get Indian players in this section, they can use the valuable overseas slot in other important areas.
Along the same lines, we look at five quality Indian players who will fetch the highest amount in the IPL 2025 auction.
KL Rahul might have struggled to match the tempo with the league’s standard, but he is still a solid player who is equally capable against pace and spin. He can open the innings, and if he sorts his intent issue, will be a match-winner for any team.
Given he also provides a captaincy option and keeps the wickets, franchises will again be ready to spend a heavy amount to include him in their side. It won’t be surprising if he finds himself somewhere at the top spot among players to earn the most in the IPL 2025 auction.
Venkatesh Iyer might have batted in the middle order for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season but has shown credentials at the top as well. He is a solid pace player who can utilise the powerplay by finding regular gaps and providing brisk starts.
Further, his game against spin is decent, for he doesn’t get restricted and can manoeuvre fields well. Given he also brings the LHB dimension to the batting unit, Venkatesh will be in heavy demand.
Also Read: KKR Crowned Champions Again! Great News Ahead of IPL 2025 Auction
Ishan Kishan might not have had a great cycle with Mumbai Indians (MI), but his quality is well-known. He is a dynamic batter who is severe vs pace and can maximise the powerplay by putting speedsters under pressure.
Further, he also provides the wicketkeeping option and is quite safe behind the sticks, making him a complete package. He was the most expensive player in the previous mega auction and might again start a bidding war and fetch a huge amount.
Like Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw didn’t have a great last cycle, either, for he failed to step up regularly. However, he is still among the most aggressive batters who like to play his shots from the first ball, making him an exciting pick.
He is severe against anything full against pace early in the innings and thwacks spinners at will in the middle overs. Hence, Shaw will be on the radar of teams looking for solid Indian openers, and he can also be a long-term investment for any franchise.
Atharva Taide might look an odd name on this list, but he is among the most exciting young players in the country. He has a solid game vs pace and can take them on will to utilise the field restrictions.
Further, his spin game is also decent and ever-improving, and with age on his side, Taide will improve on this aspect. Hence, several teams will target him since he will be a long-term investment, which can surge his price significantly.
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