All you need to know about the upcoming IPL 2025 Auction in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.
The excitement around the IPL 2025 mega-auction is reaching fever pitch as the stage is set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. This much-anticipated event promises to shape the futures of all 10 IPL teams for the next three years, offering a glimpse into the direction each franchise aims to take. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the two-day extravaganza.
The IPL 2025 mega-auction will kick off at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to begin at 1 PM local time (3:30 PM IST) on both days, the auction will be conducted in two sessions daily.
The first session runs from 1 PM to 2:30 PM (Local time), after which a 45-minute lunch break will allow participants to regroup. The second session resumes at 3:15 PM and will continue till 8 PM local time, which is 10:30 PM IST. Interestingly, this auction will coincide with the third and fourth day’s play of the Perth Test, adding to the buzz.
Mallika Sagar, an esteemed Indian art collector and auctioneer, has been appointed as the auctioneer for the IPL 2025 mega auction. This marks her second tenure in this role, following her debut as the IPL auctioneer in 2024.
Sagar’s pioneering journey began in 2001 at Christie’s, where she became the first Indian woman auctioneer. She has also conducted auctions for the Women’s Premier League and the Pro Kabaddi League, establishing herself as a trailblazer in sports auctioneering.
The IPL mega-auction occurs once every three years, marking a significant reset for the teams. However, the 2025 edition comes with added intrigue due to several key factors:
The final auction list features 577 players, with 367 Indians and 210 overseas players vying for spots in the league. Teams can fill a maximum of 204 slots, including 70 for overseas players.
The marquee list is divided into two sets, each featuring six players:
Among them, all except David Miller have set their base price at INR 2 Crore, with Miller opting for a reserve price of INR 1.5 Crore.
Players have categorized themselves into various base price brackets, with INR 2 Crore being the highest reserve price. Here’s the breakdown:
| Reserve Price | No. of Players |
|---|---|
| INR 2 Crore | 82 |
| INR 1.5 Crore | 27 |
| INR 1.25 Crore | 18 |
| INR 1 Crore | 23 |
| INR 75 Lakh | 92 |
| INR 50 Lakh | 8 |
| INR 40 Lakh | 5 |
| INR 30 Lakh | 320 |
The minimum reserve price has been increased from INR 20 Lakh to INR 30 Lakh, a significant shift aimed at ensuring better payouts for emerging talent.
Also Read: IPL 2025 Auction: Purse Remaining and RTM Cards Left for All 10 Teams
The auction will follow a structured process:
With over 500 players in the list, not all will be called for bidding. The accelerated auction begins from player #117 and includes players from the list who may not have been initially selected for bidding. Teams can submit their nominations for these players by 10 PM IST on November 24.
Additionally, unsold players from the initial rounds can be reintroduced for bidding during subsequent accelerated rounds.
On the other hand, Australia’s Cameron Green is a notable absentee due to a lower spine surgery, ruling him out of IPL 2025.
Also Read: 3 Franchises that could Pick James Anderson at the IPL 2025 Auction
The auction budgets for the 10 teams vary significantly, influencing their bidding strategies:
| Team | Purse (INR) |
|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 110.5 Crore |
| Rajasthan Royals | 41 Crore |
| Chennai Super Kings | 55 Crore |
| Delhi Capitals | 73 Crore |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 51 Crore |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 83 Crore |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 69 Crore |
| Mumbai Indians | 45 Crore |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 45 Crore |
| Gujarat Titans | 69 Crore |
Punjab Kings lead the pack with the largest purse, while Rajasthan Royals have the least amount to spend.
The Right-To-Match (RTM) card, last seen in the 2018 mega-auction, makes a comeback with a significant tweak. Teams can still reclaim their players by matching the winning bid, but now the team with the winning bid gets a final opportunity to raise the bid further without any cap.
For example, if a player is bought for INR 10 Crore, the original team can use their RTM by matching that bid. However, the winning team can then raise the bid further, say to INR 15 Crore, forcing the original team to decide again at the new price.
To maintain pace, the IPL has predefined bidding increments based on the player price:
This ensures smoother proceedings, especially during intense bidding wars.
The IPL 2025 mega-auction promises to be a spectacle, with teams fighting to craft winning combinations for the seasons ahead. As the cricketing world tunes in, all eyes will be on Jeddah for two days of high-stakes drama.
