IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Rishabh Pant Sets Record With Rs 27 Crore Bid Among Top Purchases

Rishabh Pant has set a new record as the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Lucknow Super Giants secured him on the first day of the IPL Mega Auction 2025, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The auction witnessed intense bidding for Pant, who was highly anticipated to attract significant interest.

Pant's acquisition by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 27 crore surpassed Shreyas Iyer's previous record of Rs 26.75 crore. Venkatesh Iyer also made headlines when Kolkata Knight Riders reacquired him for Rs 23.75 crore. These transactions marked significant moments in the auction.

Before these players crossed the Rs 20 crore threshold, Mitchell Starc had broken records in the 2024 auction. Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for Rs 24.75 crore, surpassing Pat Cummins, who went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore. This trend of high bids continued into the current auction.

The previous record-holder was England's Sam Curran, purchased by Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 crore in the 2023 auction. The demand for bowlers remained strong in 2025, with Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal both fetching Rs 18 crore each from Punjab Kings after fierce competition.

Several other players commanded over Rs 12 crore during this year's auction. Jos Buttler joined Gujarat Titans for Rs 15.75 crore, while KL Rahul moved to Delhi Capitals for Rs 14 crore. Fast bowlers like Josh Hazlewood, Jofra Archer, Trent Boult, and Mohammed Siraj also secured substantial deals.

The trend of high-value acquisitions isn't new to IPL auctions. In 2023, all-rounders were particularly sought after, with Cameron Green and Ben Stokes receiving bids exceeding Rs 16 crore each. These figures highlight the evolving dynamics of player valuations in IPL history.

Top Historical Buys

1. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) - Rs 27 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
2. Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) - Rs 26.75 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
3. Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 24.75 Crore in IPL 2024 Auction
4. Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Rs 23.75 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
5. Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - Rs 20.50 Crore in IPL 2024 Auction
6. Sam Curran (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18.50 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction
7. Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
8. Yuzvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings) - Rs 18 Crore in IPL 2025 Auction
9. Cameron Green (Mumbai Indians) - Rs 17.50 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction
10. Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings) - Rs 16.25 Crore in IPL 2023 Auction

This year's auction underscored the ongoing demand for top-tier talent across various roles within teams. With significant sums being spent on both established stars and emerging talents, franchises continue to invest heavily to strengthen their squads ahead of upcoming seasons.