IPL 2025 mega auction: Top 5 most expensive buys on day 1

Three players earned more than INR 20 crores at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always given mind-boggling moments over the years, and something similar was expected during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24-25.

It didn’t disappoint, and we saw some record-breaking deals getting cracked at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Prior to the 2025 auction, Mitchell Starc was the costliest buy ever for a price of INR 23.75 crores last season.

But, that figure has been surpassed now. Some massive bids took place, and franchises went all out for some players. Below we will talk about the top five expensive players at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Top five most expensive players bought at the IPL 2025 mega auction:

5. Arshdeep Singh – 18 crores to PBKS

Arshdeep was the first name to be auctioned at the IPL 2025 mega auction. He has been superb for India at the international level and took most wickets in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Hence, it was expected that he would go for big money.

It happened eventually as Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad bid for him but, PBKS used the RTM card on him and bought him for a price of INR 18 crores, making him one of the costliest player at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

4. Yuzvendra Chahal – 18 crores to PBKS

The highest wicket-taker in IPL history, Yuzvendra Chahal, was expected to go big at the IPL 2025 mega auction, and that’s what happened. His IPL experience and wicket-taking ability earned him an 18-crore deal from Punjab Kings.

Six teams were interested in him: Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, but PBKS had the last laugh.

3. Venkatesh Iyer – 23.75 crores to KKR

An Indian all-rounder with the match-winning ability is very rare, and Vankatesh Iyer comes with this skillset. That is one reason he bagged a whopping price at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

He made two fifties in Qualifier 1 and the final in 2024 and helped KKR lift the title, which is why KKR went after him and won the bidding war against Royal Challengers Bengaluru to sign him for a price of 23.75 crores.

2. Shreyas Iyer – 26.75 crores to PBKS

Shreyas Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to lift the IPL 2024 title, which was one key reason that a number of franchises were interested in him. He has proved his captaincy skills in the IPL, and a few teams were looking for a new captain.

Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings entered the bidding war for him, and PBKS had the last bid of INR 26.75 crores.

1. Rishabh Pant – 27 crores to LSG

Rishabh Pant was one of the biggest names to feature at the IPL 2025 mega auction. He was expected to get a big amount, and he didn’t disappoint as well. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants were interested in having him.

Eventually, LSG had him for a price of INR 27 crores. DC tried to use the RTM card on him, but LSG went all out and made a higher bid, which made him the costliest player ever in the history of IPL auctions.

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