Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are expected to be among the most sought-after players in the IPL 2025 mega auction. A recent mock auction conducted by Star Sports and JioCinema highlighted their potential value, with Pant fetching a staggering ₹33 crore and KL Rahul securing ₹29.5 crore. Punjab Kings (PBKS), represented by Eoin Morgan, acquired Pant, while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), represented by Mike Hesson, bagged Rahul. These significant mock prices underscore their demand as marquee players in the upcoming auction. In an IPL mock auction, KL Rahul fetched ₹29.5 crore, while Rishabh Pant secured a staggering fee.
Pant, having parted ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the mega auction, clarified that his departure was not financially motivated. However, his explosive batting, leadership skills, and potential to serve as a long-term asset have made him the most anticipated pick. Eoin Morgan emphasized Pant’s immense value, comparing him to a young MS Dhoni. Morgan described Pant as a strategic investment, noting his ability to anchor a team and build a future around his leadership and batting.
PBKS, holding the highest auction purse of ₹110.5 crore, are well-positioned to target Pant aggressively. With Ricky Ponting, DC’s former head coach, now part of PBKS, the franchise appears keen to make Pant their centerpiece for the upcoming seasons. In an IPL mock auction, KL Rahul fetched ₹29.5 crore, while Rishabh Pant secured a staggering fee.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul’s stock has risen due to his recent performance in the India-Australia Test series in Perth. Choosing to enter the auction pool instead of staying with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rahul attracted RCB’s interest. Hesson explained that Rahul fits well into RCB’s plans post-Virat Kohli’s captaincy era, citing his ability to anchor innings and fill the crucial wicketkeeping role left vacant by Dinesh Karthik.
Other notable purchases in the mock auction included Mitchell Starc (₹18 crore by Mumbai Indians), Arshdeep Singh (₹16.5 crore by PBKS), Yuzvendra Chahal (₹15 crore by Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Ishan Kishan (₹15.5 crore by DC). KKR, represented by Sanjay Bangar, re-acquired captain Shreyas Iyer for ₹21 crore. Bangar highlighted the importance of continuity in leadership, especially for a reigning champion team. In an IPL mock auction, KL Rahul fetched ₹29.5 crore, while Rishabh Pant secured a staggering fee.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra, representing DC, admitted that the mock auction prices were inflated but justified them as aligning with team strategies. As IPL 2025 begins a new three-year cycle, the mega auction is set to reshape team rosters, and these marquee players will likely command record-breaking bids.
