The IPL 2025 auction will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, but one notable absence from the list of registered players has caught the eye – Ben Stokes. Despite his prominence in global cricket, Stokes has opted out of the IPL auction for the second consecutive year. The England all-rounder, who missed IPL 2024 to manage his workload and fitness, has also skipped the 2025 auction after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during The Hundred earlier this year.
In contrast, a host of high-profile Indian cricketers have entered the auction pool, with several marquee players setting their base price at INR 2 crore, the highest category. Among the big names are former captains Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants), and Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders), all of whom were released by their respective franchises ahead of the auction.
Also listed at the INR 2 crore base price are seasoned internationals R. Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, both of whom were released by Rajasthan Royals, and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to injuries.
Apart from Pant, Rahul, and Iyer, several other prominent Indian players have registered with a base price of INR 2 crore, including Ashwin, Chahal, Shami, and Shardul Thakur. The full list also features fast bowlers like Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Prasidh Krishna, as well as all-rounders such as Krunal Pandya and Washington Sundar. These names are expected to generate significant interest, with franchises looking to bolster their squads ahead of IPL 2025.
In addition to the Indian contingent, several international stars have made their way into the auction. Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler who was the most expensive player in the 2024 auction, has returned at a base price of INR 2 crore. Starc’s injury record has limited his IPL appearances, but his pedigree remains undeniable. Similarly, Jofra Archer, who has struggled with injuries and last played in the IPL in 2023, is available for INR 2 crore.
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Other notable international players include England’s James Anderson, who has not featured in T20 cricket since 2014 but has entered the auction at INR 1.25 crore. Anderson, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, is currently serving as England’s bowling coach and could be a wildcard for teams looking for experience.
This year’s IPL auction will see each of the 10 franchises with a total purse of INR 120 crore to spend. However, after the retention process, some teams are better placed than others when it comes to available funds. Punjab Kings, who retained just two players, have the largest remaining purse (INR 110.5 crore), followed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (INR 83 crore) and Delhi Capitals (INR 73 crore).
The retention strategy allows teams to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. Teams can also use their Right-to-Match (RTM) options, which allow them to match the highest bid for players they previously retained. Punjab Kings, with the fewest retained players, have the most RTM options (four), while other teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans have limited RTM choices.
The IPL auction will also see fresh talent from countries outside the traditional cricketing powerhouses. One such name is Italy’s Thomas Draca, a 24-year-old all-rounder who has played in the Global T20 Canada and was recently drafted by MI Emirates for the ILT20 in the UAE. Draca’s inclusion in the auction could signal the growing influence of non-Test nations in the IPL.
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With the IPL 2025 auction just weeks away, the cricketing world is abuzz with speculation about which players will be the highest bidders and how the franchises will use their available funds. While the absence of Ben Stokes is a notable storyline, the presence of key players like Pant, Rahul, and Iyer promises an exciting auction that could reshape the landscape of the next IPL season.
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