The IPL 2025 Mega Auction saw some aggressive bidding for the marquee players with teams flourishing their purses out on the marquee players to secure into the team.
A total of 84 players went under the hammer on November 24 (day 1) in the auction with 72 players being sold whereas 12 players went unsold. Out of the 72 players, 48 were Indian players whereas the other 24 were overseas. It was a record-breaking auction as the most expensive player in the IPL auction was sold in the form of Rishabh Pant to the Lucknow SuperGiants. Teams spent a total of 467.95 CR (INR) among the 72 players.
In this article, we will go through the top buys of the auction on day one of the IPL 2025 Mega auction.
1) Rishabh Pant: 27 CR (LSG)
The day one of the auction saw a historic feat as the most expensive player was sold in the history of the IPL. Rishabh Pant wasn’t retained by the Delhi capitals which led to the Wicket-keeper batter dropping his name in the auction pool. The dynamic batter was expected to garner significant bids on day one of the mega auction. The Rishabh Pant was sold to Lucknow SuperGiants for a whopping amount of 27 Crore (INR). Though Delhi Capitals had shown interest through the bids, it was Lucknow SuperGiants who had the last laugh and secured the wicket-keeper batter.
2) Shreyas Iyer: 26.75 CR (PBKS)
Shreyas Iyer, who had led the Kolkata Knight riders to their maiden title was the second most expensive player. It was the Punjab Kings who secured the middle-order Indian batter. Shreyas Iyer’s former side Delhi Capitals were in the bid against Punjab Kings but eventually, Punjab Kings were reinstated after buying him for an enormous price of 26.75 CR.
3) Venkatesh Iyer: 23.75 CR (KKR)
Though he was not the most expensive player of the following auction, it was Venkatesh Iyer who stole the spotlight on day one of the 2025 Meg auction. It was the Royal Challengers Bangalore & Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR battled hard to get the explosive batting all-rounder who had played a crucial role in KKR’s third title triumph. Eventually, KKR required him for 23.75 Cr as he became the third most expensive player of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
4) Yuzvendra Chahal: 18 CR (PBKS)
The Crafty spinner saw aggressive bidding for him on day one of the auction. The likes of LSG, SRH & RCB with massive bids before Punjab Kings acquired the leg spinner. Yuzvendra Chahal, who has put some consistent performances over the last couple of seasons was sold to the Punjab Kings for 18 CR becoming the joint-most expensive bowler of the season.
5) Arshdeep Singh: 18 CR (PBKS)
The left-arm pacer was the first player whose name came out at the start of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction. Initially, it was CSK, MI, SRH & RR. Arshdeep was sold to SRH for 15.75 CR but PBKS enabled the RTM with SRH raising the price to 18 CR & the Punjab Kings secured the Indian pacer.