IPL 2025 Mock Auction Highlights: Rishabh Pant Breaks Records With ₹33 Crore Bid

The IPL 2025 Mock Auction was a spectacle of high-stakes bidding, with Rishabh Pant breaking records as the most expensive player. Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured him for an astonishing ₹33 crore.

Wicketkeeper-batter Pant was the star of JioCinema's 'Mega Auction War Room'. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer also fetched significant sums, with Rahul going for ₹29.5 crore and Iyer for ₹21 crore.

Pant, released by Delhi Capitals (DC) before the auction, attracted fierce competition due to his exceptional talent and leadership. Eoin Morgan, representing PBKS, persistently bid to acquire him.

Morgan compared Pant to MS Dhoni after securing him. PBKS allocated over 30% of their ₹110.5 crore budget to ensure Pant joined their ranks.

Pant's IPL performance underscores his worth: 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93 in 111 matches. After recovering from a serious accident last year, he scored 446 runs in 13 games at an average of 40, showcasing his resilience.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made waves by acquiring KL Rahul for ₹29.5 crore. Mike Hesson represented RCB, aiming to strengthen their batting and replace Dinesh Karthik as wicketkeeper.

Hesson praised Rahul's 'stabilising presence', which motivated the franchise to invest heavily in the star batter.

KKR Reacquire Shreyas Iyer for ₹21 Crore in IPL 2025 Mock Auction

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained Shreyas Iyer during the mock auction, spending ₹21 crore on the former captain. "Shreyas brings proven leadership and consistency, which are crucial for KKR's stability," said Sanjay Bangar, representing KKR.

IPL 2025 Mock Auction: Other Big Buys

Experts noted inflated prices for marquee players due to larger budgets and fierce competition. The mock auction hinted at strategies for the real IPL 2025 Auction, with PBKS being notably aggressive buyers. Their substantial investment in Pant and Jos Buttler (₹13.5 crore) signals their ambition to build a championship-winning team.