Most expensive buys: IPL auction record broken twice — Rishabh Pant and the Iyers smile their way to the bank

IPL mega auction: Rishabh Pant and the Iyers smile their way to the bank

The auction record for the biggest buy in the history of the Indian Premier League was broken twice in Jeddah on Sunday. Rishabh Pant became the costliest acquisition, followed closely by Shreyas Iyer, who was the first one to go past the mark of Rs 24.75 — the previous record sum paid by Kolkata Knight Riders for Mitchell Starc last year. Here are the top five buys:

Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore, Lucknow Super Giants)

It was expected that that wicketkeeper-batter would fetch a princely sum. It was no different, as the Lucknow franchise went all out for him. For a team trying to rebuild, which already had retained wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran for Rs 21 crore, this was a massive catch. Other than being multi-dimensional, Pant also brings in the experience of leading an IPL side. His inclusion can also benefit the brand value of the team.

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Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore, Punjab Kings)

Another massive bid which didn’t come as a surprise. Batter and IPL-winning skipper, he was always going to be in demand. The Punjab team owners were prepared to spend big, having retained just two uncapped players, and they didn’t mind going for broke when it came to Iyer. He adds value as a batter and also as a captain who led KKR to the title in 2024. His leadership was praised and it’s a fact that he kept his cool under pressure situations.

Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 23.75 crore, Kolkata Knight Riders)

Perhaps the biggest surprise of this mega auction when it comes to the price tag. Hardly a regular in India colours, he had been an important figure in KKR’s scheme of the things for the last few years. The team owners could not retain him before the auctions, but showed their faith in him by handing out a sum which belied expectations. Nonetheless, it proves how highly he is rated by this franchise.

Arshdeep Singh (Rs 18 crore, Punjab Kings)

The franchise was expected to splurge money on this left-arm pacer and it used the Right to Match card to buy him back. This was on the cards. Arshdeep has been India’s main bowler in T20s after Jasprit Bumrah and the leader of the attack in his absence. His ability to be effective with the new ball and at the death makes him valuable. The team must have made up their mind that they will go for him, after letting him go to the auction pool.

IPL 2025 auction Day 1: Rishabh Pant shatters record, Venkatesh Iyer earns big - full list of players sold with price

Yuzvendra Chahal (Rs 18 crore, Punjab Kings)

Punjab was expected to go big for a number of players, after having entered the auction fray with the biggest purse among all the teams. They needed a spinner and in Chahal, the team found an experienced one. Chahal is one of the best leg-spinners to have played in the IPL and although not in India reckoning, he is still rated highly when it comes to franchise cricket. In the process, he also became the most expensive spinner in IPL history.