Jeddah (Saudi Arabia): As the dust settled on the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction here, one thing was clear: this was a spectacle of contrasts.
On the one side, veterans like Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a strong statement, proving that age and past form are no barriers to the IPL’s ever-evolving landscape. On the other, a 13-year-old prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, made history, reminding the world that talent can strike at any age.
The two-day auction saw a total of Rs 639.15 crore spent, with 182 players securing contracts. But for the 395 players left without bids, the reality was harsher – their IPL dreams were postponed, if not shattered, as franchises bid strategically to balance their squads with stars, experience, and raw potential.
But it was the rise of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a player whose international appearances had dwindled, that became the talk of Day 2. The 35-year-old, once a mainstay in India’s bowling attack, found his way into the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad for a remarkable Rs 10.75 crore.
While critics have questioned his place in India’s limited-overs setup, IPL franchises clearly saw value in his wealth of experience. With 300 wickets in 287 T20 games, Bhuvneshwar’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and the death remain unmatched. Despite his recent absence from international cricket, his IPL value hasn’t wavered.
Then there was Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Just 13 years old, he became the talk of the auction room, becoming the youngest player ever to be bought for a crore. Rajasthan Royals placed their faith in the Bihar prodigy, picking him up for Rs 1.10 crore.
Suryavanshi, who made his T20 debut in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is now part of an exclusive group of young stars entering the IPL spotlight. His journey from local cricket to international recognition via the IPL is one of the most inspiring stories to come out of this auction.
While the auction was filled with moments of triumph, there were unexpected snubs too. Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw, a player whose stock once soared high, failed to attract a bid. Along with him, Shardul Thakur and New Zealand’s star duo, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips, went unsold.
Even the seasoned Ajinkya Rahane faced an early setback, only to be picked up later by Kolkata Knight Riders for a bargain Rs 1.50 crore. Such surprises underline the unpredictable nature of the IPL auction, where even the most established names can be left behind in favour of younger, more affordable options.
Other notable signings included Deepak Chahar, who secured a Rs 9.25 crore deal with Mumbai Indians, despite concerns over his injury history. Tushar Deshpande, with a questionable economy rate of close to 10 runs per over, found himself with Rajasthan Royals for Rs 6.50 crore, despite being sidelined with an ankle injury. Such moves reflect how IPL franchises are increasingly willing to take calculated risks in the hope that a change of environment can help rejuvenate players.
But it wasn’t all about big money moves. There were bargains, too, with former RCB captain Faf du Plessis being snapped up by Delhi Capitals at his base price of Rs 2 crore.
Similarly, Gujarat Titans made a smart play by acquiring India’s Washington Sundar for Rs 3.20 crore, ensuring they had the all-round talent to bolster their squad. And despite the dramatic fall in his valuation, England’s Sam Curran was brought back into the Chennai Super Kings fold for a modest Rs 2.40 crore, a far cry from the Rs 18 crore bid he once commanded.
The auction concluded with teams fine-tuning their squads for what promises to be another high-octane season.
The 2025 IPL is set to feature a dynamic mix of experienced internationals, promising youngsters, and uncapped players making their way into the spotlight. It is a reminder that in the IPL, form may be temporary, but the thirst for fresh talent and big-game players is eternal.
