The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction is all set to be a grand affair this year in next month. The ten teams battling it out for a number of top players who will be going under the hammer at the event. However, the existing eight teams have already revealed their final retentions. But, the two new franchises - Lucknow and Ahmedabad can make three picks each from the pool of non-retained players.

Barring the players picked by Ahmedabad and Lucknow in the draft, all others will be heading to the mega auction. Several big Indian names have not been retained by their respective IPL sides. Meanwhile, they will be up for grabs at the mega auction in February. Here we take a look at five Indian stars who are likely to fetch a huge amount at the IPL 2022 mega auction.

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#1. KL Rahul

Former Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul is unlikely to head into the auction pool. Although, he is expected to be picked in the player's draft ahead of the event. Moreover, he is one of the favorites to captain the Lucknow IPL franchise in the 2022 season. Rahul is reportedly set to join Lucknow and has been offered a staggering contract.

He has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL over the last few seasons. Moreover, KL Rahul has also scored lots of runs in the last two editions of IPL. Rahul was recently appointed as India's limited-overs vice-captain and is seen as a future leader of the national team as well. He has so far played 94 IPL matches and has aggregated 3273 runs at an average of over 47.

#2. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer's rise in the Indian Premier League has been nothing short of extraordinary. From a young batting talent, Iyer matured into a fine leader for the Delhi Capitals after he was handed over captaincy midway into the IPL 2018 season. He led DC to their first-ever final in IPL 2020 and proved why he is on his path to becoming one of the future greats in the IPL.

Besides his captaincy credentials, Shreyas Iyer is a reliable batsman, who has been a consistent performer in the league. He was released by Delhi Capitals after reportedly expressing his desire to look for a leadership role. He has been replaced by Rishabh Pant as captain. Iyer has 2375 runs in 87 matches in the IPL at an average of over 31.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Big players who were not retained

#3. Hardik Pandya

Mumbai Indians had to let go of their star all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction owing to his recent fitness issues and concerns regarding his bowling. Hardik, who has played an instrumental role in Mumbai Indians' success over the years, didn't bowl at all in IPL 2021 as he continues to deal with his back issues which have hampered his progress.

Hardik had been retained for a sum of Rs 11 crore (110 million) by Mumbai Indians in 2018. Meanwhile, he is expected to go for big money once again if he heads to the auction pool. However, there is a strong chance that the all-rounder is picked by one of the two new teams. The Lucknow or Ahmedabad can pick him before the auction for a huge sum.

Read Also: IPL 2022: Highest earning retained players

#4. Shikhar Dhawan

Senior India batter Shikhar Dhawan might have slipped down the pecking order in the Indian team as far as T20Is are concerned, but he remains a prolific run-getter in the IPL. Dhawan has been churning out runs regularly for every team that he has played for in the league so far and enjoyed a brilliant stint for Delhi Capitals before being released this year.

Dhawan scored 587 runs in 16 matches for DC in IPL 2020 and was the fourth-highest run-getter in the tournament. The experienced opener will be in massive demand at the IPL 2022 mega auction and is expected to trigger a bidding war among teams.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Full list of IPL's retained players

#5. Ishan Kishan

The explosive young wicket-keeper batter made his India debut last year and has been impressive since. Ishan Kishan didn't have a season to remember in IPL 2021 but still managed to stay among the runs despite not getting many chances. However, his versatility as a batter who can fire as an opener, as well as in the middle-order makes him a huge asset for any team.

Kishan is also a brilliant young wicket-keeper and can also be groomed into a leadership role in the future. He is certain to draw bids from a number of teams at the IPL mega auction. He may also end up as one of the highest-paid players for the upcoming IPL season.

Pink Ball Test, a five-day match contested under lights like a One Day International, was first held in November 2015 after a lot of trials in First-Class cricket across the globe. Day-Night Test was introduced to add more to the longer format as white-ball especially the T20s has taken over the game with crowds preferring the shorter format.

Also Read: Border–Gavaskar Trophy: India's record in Pink Ball Test

India are set to play their second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. After winning the Perth Test match by a massive margin of 295 runs, India will face Australia against the pink ball, under lights. So before the start of the series, let's take a look at the Indian batters who scored the most runs in the Pink Ball Test. 

1# Virat Kohli | 277 Runs

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has a fine record against the pink-ball, having played all of India's four pink-ball matches so far. He leads the scoring chart in pink ball Test cricket for India. In six innings so far, he has scored 277 runs at an average of 46.16, with a century and fifty. His knock of 136* against Bangladesh in 2019 at Kolkata is the only century by an Indian in a pink-ball Test.

After having overcome a lean patch of form with a century at Perth, Virat would be raring to continue his golden run in Australia and at the Adelaide Oval.

2# Rohit Sharma | 173 Runs

Indian team captain Rohit Sharma comes second on the list scoring just one half-century in Pink Ball Tests, accumulating 173 runs in five matches at an average of 39. This will be Rohit Sharma’s first Day-Night Test match on foreign soil, as all three of his previous Pink Ball Tests were played in India. 

As an opener, Rohit will need to weather the new ball, especially during twilight and night sessions when the pink ball is at its most ferocious. It will be quite interesting to see how Rohit goes about his business in the upcoming game.

3# Shreyas Iyer | 159 Runs

Shreyas Iyer has played just one day-night Test match and has scored 159 runs in it. He put up knocks of 92 and 67 in the second test between India and Sri Lanka in 2022. India were 86/4 after electing to bat. Iyer shone with a blistering 92 off 98 deliveries, whipping 10 fours and four maximums. He played with the tail-enders and was the last man to be dismissed (252/10). India eventually won by 238 runs.

4# Ajinkya Rahane | 100 Runs

Ajinkya Rahane comes in 4th place with 100 runs in 3 matches. Rahane also scored a half-century against Bangladesh in 2019.

5# Cheteshwar Pujara | 98 Runs

Cheteshwar Pujara is 5th on this list. He has amassed just 98 runs in 3 day-night Test matches. Pujara put up knocks of 55 and 43 against Bangladesh and Australia respectively. 

After two days of exciting show auction in Jeddah, the ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises were able to pick their squad for the IPL 2025. Rishabh Pant came out as the most expensive player in IPL auction's history with a humongous INR 27 cr bid from Lucknow Super Giants while Shreyas Iyer was the first player ever to get a 25 cr plus deal in an IPL auction.

Shreyas Iyer, the IPL 2024 winning captain received a 26.75 cr bid from Punjab Kings, who had released most of their players during the retention and wanted a captain in their squad. Along with him, Punjab Kings with the highest money in the purse before the auction, were responsible for three of the top 10 most expensive bids. They first brought back their fast bowler Arshdeep Singh for INR 18 cr and after Shreyas Iyer's bid, they made Yuzvendra Chahal the most expensive spinner in IPL history.

Chahal, who everyone thought could go back to RCB, was eventually bought by Punjab Kings for a whooping INR 18 cr, which was the fourth-highest bid of the auction. Meantime, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders surprised everyone after buying back Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23 cr. They nearly fought a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore to bring him back to Eden Gardens.

Jos Buttler was another marquee player, who was supposed to be big in the auction and he was Gujarat Titan's highest bid of the season at INR 15.75 cr. KL Rahul, went to Delhi Capitals for INR 14 cr, which everyone thought was another case of RCB not going all-out for a player. 

Trent Boult reunited with Jasprit Bumrah at Mumbai Indians, after the five-time champions decided to spend most of their money on retaining their core group of players. The Kiwi pacer was sold for INR 12.5 cr. Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood also attracted the same amount of money from RCB, who were looking for a good fast bowler, after they let Mohammed Siraj go in the retention and auction as well. 

Top 10 most expensive players in IPL 2025 auction

Since its beginning in 2008, IPL has been the most glamorous T20 tournament that paved ways for the expansion of franchise T20 cricket all over the globe. IPL, filled with pop and grandeur, has also amassed opportunities for players to earn a huge amount of money that changes their life. 

However, there have been many instances all over the years where renowned players and youngsters have received big money to provide their services to the franchises. Teams have splashed cash and groundbreaking deals were made. In this article, Sportzpoint presents the most expensive sold players in the IPL Auction over the years.

Most expensive sold players in the IPL Auction over the years

2008 – MS Dhoni to Chennai Super Kings – 9.5 Cr INR

The inaugural Indian Premier League witnessed an young Mahendra Singh Dhoni receive a huge amount of 9.5 crore from Chennai Super Kings who finalized the bid. Dhoni captained Indian team in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and he was one of the most demanded prospect of the first-ever IPL auction. Dhoni went to write a fairytale with CSK, winning 5 IPL trophies for the franchise. 

2009 – Kevin Pietersen to Royal Challengers Bangalore, Andrew Flintoff to Chennai Super Kings – 9.8 Cr INR 

Both English youngsters received a huge fees of 9.8 crore INR each after prolonged battle of bidding in the auction of IPL 2009. Royal Challengers Bangalore came on top to sign Pietersen whereas Flintoff joined Chennai Super Kings for the second edition of IPL, both of them became the most expensive sold player that year. 

2010 – Shane Bond to Kolkata Knight Riders, Kieron Pollard to Mumbai Indians – 4.8 Cr INR 

New Zealand's legendary fast bowler Shane Bond became the most expensive sold player as he joined Kolkata Knight Riders fetching a huge amount of 4.8 crore INR. 

Kieron Polland, the legendary West Indies all-rounder was roped in by Mumbai Indians after finalizing his services for 4.8 crore INR. Pollard became a legend for Mumbai Indians, winning 5 IPL trophies with them and also one of the most fan-favorite players to play for the franchise. 

2011 – Gautam Gambhir to Kolkata Knight Riders – 14.9 Cr INR 

Gautam Gambhir became the most expensive cricketer in the IPL 2011 auction after receiving a massive amount of 14.9 crore INR bid from Kolkata Knight Riders. However, KKR did not have to wait long to be proved right as Gambhir captained the Kolkata side to their maiden IPL win in 2012 and won another IPL title in 2014. 

2012 – Ravindra Jadeja to Chennai Super Kings – 12.8 Cr INR 

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bagged a huge bid of 12.8 crore INR from Chennai Super Kings. He became of the most expensive sold player of 2011 auction as CSK secured his services. Jadeja went to create his own legacy with the franchise, having won 3 IPL titles for CSK. 

2013 – Glenn Maxwell to Mumbai Indians – 6.3 Cr INR 

Mumbai Indians secured the services of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for a bid of 6.3 crore INR. Maxwell, who was known as the 'Mad Max' back then for his explosive batting style, drew interest from many teams but Mumbai Indians came out on top.

2014 – Yuvraj Singh to Royal Challengers Bangalore – 14 Cr INR 

The man who was named the player of the tournament in 2011 World Cup, emerged as the most expensive cricketer to be sold in the IPL Auction of 2014. 'Yuvi' joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for a mammoth amount of 14 crore INR. 

2015 – Yuvraj Singh to Delhi Daredevils – 16 Cr INR 

Yuvraj Singh was the most sought-after player in the 2014 Auction, becoming the most expensive sold cricketer of the year. However, Yuvi acquired even more huge amount of money in 2015 auction as he joined Delhi Daredevils for a bid of 16 crore INR. He became the most expensive cricketer ever in the IPL auction history at the time. 

2016 – Shane Watson to Royal Challengers Bangalore – 9.5 Cr INR 

Royal Challengers Bangalore came out on top in the 2016 auction to sign the Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for a huge amount of 9.5 crore INR. Watson became the most expensive sold cricketer in the 2016 Auction. 

2017 – Ben Stokes to Rising Pune Supergiant – 14.5 Cr INR 

Rising Pune Supergiant entered the IPL premises for the first time in 2017 but did not fall short in case of splashing cash. The newly-formed franchise finalized the services of Ben Stokes, considered as one of the greatest English all-rounders. Stokes became the most expensive foreign cricketer in the IPL history at that time. 

2018 – Ben Stokes to Rajasthan Royals – 12.5 Cr INR 

Ben Stokes displayed a commendable dominance both with the bat and the ball in the 2017 IPL, amassing 312 runs and bagging 12 wickets. His brilliant performance made Rajasthan Royals splash the cash again for him as the made a bold bid of 12.5 crore INR which made Stokes the most expensive sold cricketer of the IPL Auction for the second consecutive time. 

2019 – Jaydev Unadkat to Rajasthan Royals, Varun Chakravarthy to Kings XI Punjab – 8.4 Cr INR 

Jaydev Unadkat, the young Indian pacer became a surprise for everyone as he fetched a bid of 8.4 Crore INR for him by Rajasthan Royals. He became most expensive sold player of the 2019 auction, jointly with the spinner Varun Chakravarthy who received a bid of the same amount by Kings XI Punjab. 

2020 – Pat Cummins to Kolkata Knight Riders – 15.5 Cr INR 

Pat Cummins broke the record of Ben Stokes to become the most expensive overseas player ever in the history of IPL auction. Kolkata Knight Riders made an epic bid of 15.5 crore INR to secure the services of the Australian fast bowler. 

2021 – Chris Morris to Rajasthan Royals – 15.25 Cr INR 

Rajasthan Royals did not hesitate to break the bank to acquire the South African all-rounder Chris Morris in the IPL 2021 auction, making him the most expensive sold cricketer ever in the history of IPL Auction. The Royals spent a whopping amount of 15.25 crore INR to break all the records. 

2022 – Ishan Kishan to Mumbai Indians – 15.25 Cr INR 

The young wicket-keeper batman Ishan Kishan stole all the limelights in the 2022 auction after Mumbai Indians bought him spending a mammoth amount of 15.25 crore INR.

2023 – Sam Curran to Punjab Kings – 18.5 Cr INR 

Punjab Kings went all out in the 2023 auction for the young English all-rounder Sam Curran, and they became successful in the pursuit after completing the buy with a whopping 18.5 Cr INR. Curran became the most expensive English cricketer ever in the history of IPL. 

2024 – Mitchell Starc to Kolkata Knight Riders – 24.75 Cr INR 

Every other previous records of spending huge amounts in the IPL auctions were shattered in the 2024 auction. Mitchell Starc broke all the records as Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank to acquire the services of one of their former players and the Kolkata side splurged 24.75 crore INR to finalize the buy. The lethal Australian fast bowler was by far the most expensive sold cricketer ever in the history of the Indian Premier League at that time. 

Hello and welcome to Sportz Point's LIVE coverage of the IPL 2025 Auction as the excitement around the cricketing world reaches its peak. From intense bidding wars, and surprise player picks, to expert analysis, as teams strategize for the upcoming season we will bring you everything in this LIVE blog for you.

A total of 577 players are set to be featured in the Mega Auction.

Stay tuned as we dive into the auction room dynamics, track the biggest buys, and provide expert analysis on the decisions that could redefine the upcoming season. Refresh this page regularly for the latest updates, commentary, and insights from the action-packed event.

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When and where the IPL 2025 Auction will start?

The IPL 2025 auction will start at 3.30 pm IST on 24th and 25th November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Mega Auction for IPL 2025 will commence today and will last two days, where all the 10 IPL franchises will lock horns to snatch away great talents and big names to shape up their respective teams that will compete in the IPL 2025 for the final glory. 

Here are the FAQ and everything you need to know about the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. 

Read Also | Full list of players to be auctioned