The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is poised to witness a bidding frenzy for some of India’s most sought-after cricketers. Among them, Rishabh Pant stands out as a potential record-breaker, according to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra.
Pant, who was not retained by the Delhi Capitals, is expected to command a massive paycheck at the auction. Chopra believes that the wicket-keeper batter could surpass the current record of Rs 24.5 crore, set by Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction.
“Rishabh Pant could still become the most expensive player in the history of the IPL,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “He could go even beyond Rs 25-26 crore.”
Pant’s impressive performances in the T20 World Cup 2024 and Test cricket have solidified his status as one of India’s most valuable players. Several teams, including the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, are expected to engage in a bidding war for his services.
“I can see three teams going absolutely hammer and tongs for him,” Chopra predicted. “One has Rs 110 cr (PBKS), one has Rs 83 cr (RCB). They’ll fight each other and a lot of money will be spent.”
While the Delhi Capitals have the third-highest auction purse, it is unlikely they will use their Right to Match (RTM) card on Pant. The franchise has already retained several key players, including David Warner and Prithvi Shaw.
Pant’s availability during the auction is uncertain as he is expected to be playing in the first Test between India and Australia, which clashes with the auction dates. However, his absence is unlikely to deter potential bidders.
The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be a thrilling event, with several other top players, including Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, also set to go under the hammer. The auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and November 25.
