The stage is set for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 meJeddah IPL Auctionga auction, with a total of 1165 Indian players registering for a chance to play in one of the world’s most popular cricket leagues. India Today has accessed the complete list of registrations, revealing that 1574 players, including both Indian and international talent, will be available for bidding.
The auction will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, 2024. This marks a major shift, as Jeddah replaces Riyadh as the host city for the event.
Indian Players in the Rs 2 Crore Base Price Bracket
Among the most notable developments, 23 Indian players have placed themselves in the highest base price category of Rs 2 crore. These players are expected to attract significant attention from the franchises.
Among them are former IPL captains Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, all of whom were released by their franchises after the 2024 season. The inclusion of Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024, makes the auction even more exciting.
Full List of Indian Players in the Rs 2 Crore Bracket
Here’s a breakdown of the Indian players in the Rs 2 crore base price category:
- Batsmen:
- Shreyas Iyer
- Devdutt Padikkal
- All-rounders:
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Krunal Pandya
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Wicketkeepers:
- Rishabh Pant
- KL Rahul
- Ishan Kishan
- Bowlers:
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Deepak Chahar
- Avesh Khan
- Mukesh Kumar
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Prasidh Krishna
- T Natarajan
- Umesh Yadav
- Harshal Patel
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Shami
These players, including Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal, are expected to be among the top picks. Their experience and skill set make them highly valuable to IPL franchises.
Meanwhile, all-rounders like Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar are also likely to be in high demand due to their ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
Jeddah Set to Host IPL 2025 Auction
In a significant move, the IPL 2025 mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the Abady Al Johar Arena (also known as Benchmark Arena). This was confirmed after a last-minute venue change from Riyadh. The two-day auction will take place on November 24 and 25.
Franchises and other stakeholders will stay at the nearby Hotel Shangri-la, just 10 minutes from the auction venue.
An internal email from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the change in venue. “The venue for the auction will be Abady Al Johar Arena, and accommodation will be at the Hotel Shangri-la. Our operations team will handle logistics and visa requirements,” the email stated.
The decision to hold the auction in Jeddah reflects the IPL’s growing global presence, and the Saudi city is positioning itself as a major hub for international sports and entertainment.
Auction Timing and Broadcast Plans
The timing of the IPL 2025 auction coincides with the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth. To avoid a direct clash in the broadcast schedule, the BCCI and Disney Star (the broadcaster for both events) have worked to ensure that the auction will not overlap with the Test match.
Given the time difference between India and Australia, the auction will likely be held in the afternoon (IST), allowing cricket fans to enjoy both events without missing out on the action.
What to Expect at the IPL 2025 Auction
With 1574 players — including 320 capped players and 1224 uncapped players — registered for the auction, the competition for spots in the IPL will be intense. Franchises will be looking to strengthen their squads for the 2025 season by targeting players who bring both skill and versatility.
For players, this auction represents a huge opportunity. It’s a chance to join one of the most lucrative and high-profile cricket leagues in the world. The excitement is already building, and as the November 24 auction date approaches, fans and franchises alike are eager to see which players will make the cut.
The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be one of the most thrilling in the tournament’s history, with top Indian talent on display and franchises looking to secure their future stars. The move to Jeddah adds an exciting international dimension to the event, making it an unmissable spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.
