Introduction to the Mega Auction
The IPL Auction 2025 set new records as a staggering ₹639.15 crore was spent over two days by the 10 participating franchises. Among the teams, Punjab Kings (PBKS) emerged as the biggest spenders, utilizing ₹110.15 crore of their purse, the largest among all teams. This year’s auction was characterized by aggressive bidding, unprecedented prices, and strategic squad overhauls.
Punjab Kings: The Biggest Spenders
PBKS entered the auction with the largest purse, having retained only two players—Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. With ₹110.15 crore at their disposal, they bought a whopping 23 players, the most by any franchise, bringing their squad to the full strength of 25.
- Star Signings:
- Shreyas Iyer was bought for ₹26.75 crore, briefly becoming the most expensive player in IPL history before Lucknow Super Giants surpassed it with ₹27 crore for Rishabh Pant.
- Yuzvendra Chahal was snapped up for ₹18 crore, setting a record as the costliest spinner in IPL auction history.
- PBKS used the Right To Match (RTM) card to retain Arshdeep Singh for ₹18 crore.
Despite these successes, PBKS also lost out on 19 players, the most by any team, and participated in bids for 47 players, more than any other franchise.
Mumbai Indians: Efficient Bidding with the Smallest Purse
Mumbai Indians (MI) entered the auction with the lowest budget of ₹45 crore after retaining five star players, including Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma.
- Key Stats:
- They filled 18 out of 20 squad slots.
- 12 of their purchases were at base price, showcasing a strategic approach to budget management.
- Their total expenditure was ₹44.8 crore, narrowly leaving ₹0.2 crore unused.
- MI lost 15 bidding wars, ranking second after PBKS in this regard.
Other Teams and Notable Highlights
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Made headlines with the ₹27 crore purchase of Rishabh Pant, setting a new IPL auction record.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Entered bids for 45 players but ultimately lost in several high-profile bidding wars.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Bought the fewest players, bidding for only 25 and losing out on just five players, the least among all teams.
Base Price Bargains: A Strategic Move
PBKS picked up seven of their 23 players at base price, showing a balanced strategy of splurging on marquee players and securing budget-friendly talent. Rajasthan Royals (RR), however, had the highest efficiency, with only four of their 14 purchases at base price.
Key Records and Statistics
- Total Spend: ₹639.15 crore across all teams.
- Highest Spenders: PBKS with ₹110.15 crore.
- Lowest Budget: MI with ₹45 crore.
- Most Players Bought: PBKS with 23 acquisitions.
- Most Players Lost in Bidding Wars: PBKS with 19.
Conclusion: A Historic Auction
The IPL Auction 2025 will go down in history for its record-breaking bids and strategic maneuvers by all 10 franchises. While Punjab Kings dominated the auction with their aggressive spending, other teams like Mumbai Indians showcased efficiency with limited resources. The stage is now set for an exciting IPL 2025 season, with fans eagerly awaiting the performances of these newly assembled squads.(cricket betting app)