Shreyas Iyer PBKS 2025: The wait is over! Fans across the globe gathered around their screens today as the IPL Mega Auction 2025 began in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Excitement filled the air as the auction commenced with two Marquee Sets, featuring some of the biggest names in cricket. And what a start it was—Shreyas Iyer made history, becoming the most expensive player in IPL history! The Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured Iyer for a jaw-dropping INR 26.75 crore, shattering previous records and cementing his place as the most valuable batsman Indian cricket has ever seen.
Also Read | IPL 2025 Player Retentions List Announced
Iyer, the captain who led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their first IPL title last season, was surprisingly not retained by his team. This left him up for grabs, and PBKS, with the largest purse of ₹110.5 crore, wasted no time making a statement. This historic purchase not only headlines the day but also sets the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable auction.
The Mega Auction Begins
Day 1 of the IPL Auction kicked off with a bang as players from the two Marquee Sets went under the hammer. The first set included heavyweights like Rishabh Pant, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Mitchell Starc, Arshdeep Singh, and, of course, Shreyas Iyer. With their base prices set at ₹2 crore, these marquee players ignited intense bidding wars.
A total of 574 players are up for grabs across two days, narrowed down from an initial pool of 1,574 registrations. The final list comprises 366 Indian players, 208 overseas stars, and three players from associate nations, including the familiar name of Unmukt Chand. Each of the 10 franchises is gearing up to fill 204 available slots, with teams allowed a maximum of 25 players, including up to eight overseas players.
Big Names, Big Drama
The marquee players are divided into two sets, with seven of the 12 being Indian cricketers. Following Iyer’s record-breaking deal, attention turned to other big names like Jos Buttler and Rishabh Pant, whose performances have made them global stars.
The IPL Auction 2025 has also brought back the much-anticipated Right to Match (RTM) rule, with a new twist. Teams that haven’t maxed out their retention quota can use the RTM card to reclaim former players, sparking even more drama in the bidding wars. However, franchises like KKR and Rajasthan Royals (RR), who have already retained their full six-player quota, are excluded from this option.
Strategic Spending
Each franchise started with an increased purse of ₹120 crore, 20% more than last year. PBKS, with their massive ₹110.5 crore budget, showcased their financial muscle early, while RR entered with the smallest purse of ₹41 crore. RCB, the second-best equipped team with ₹83 crore, also appears poised for some big moves.
What’s Next?
With Day 1 setting the stage in spectacular fashion, the IPL Mega Auction promises even more thrills. As fans eagerly anticipate the fate of cricket’s biggest stars, one thing is clear: the IPL 2025 season is already off to a historic start. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds!
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