IPL 2025-2026 Auction Players Price List, Sold & UnSold Players

IPL 2025 Auction: A Comprehensive Breakdown of Sold Players, Unsold Talent, and Team Strategies

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Jeddah on December 15, 2025, was a blockbuster event that reshaped the league’s landscape. With franchises splurging over ₹500 crore on 292 players, the auction saw record-breaking bids, tactical moves, and surprising snubs. This article dissects the key highlights, team strategies, and the stories behind the numbers.

IPL 2025-2026 Auction Players Price List, Sold & UnSold Players

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The Auction’s Record-Breaking Day

The 2025 IPL auction shattered records, with 10 players fetching over ₹10 crore and 20+ crossing the ₹5 crore mark. The spotlight was on marquee Indian stars like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who dominated the bidding wars. Meanwhile, unsold players like Devdutt Padikkal and David Warner sparked debates about franchises’ priorities.

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Top 10 Most Expensive Buys

Here’s a look at the players who became crore-patis:

1. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) – ₹27 Crore

   • The wicketkeeper-batter became the IPL’s most expensive player ever, outpacing Shreyas Iyer. LSG’s bid reflects their intent to rebuild around youth and aggression.

2. Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) – ₹26.75 Crore

   • The former KKR captain, expected to lead PBKS, was retained by Delhi Capitals via Right to Match (RTM) but later sold to Punjab. His middle-order stability is invaluable.

3. Yuzvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings) – ₹18 Crore

   • The leg-spinner’s consistency fetched him a career-high bid, making him PBKS’ bowling backbone.

4. Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) – ₹18 Crore (RTM)

   • The left-arm pacer’s death-over skills earned him a massive hike from his base price of ₹2 crore.

5. Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans) – ₹15.75 Crore

   • The England opener’s explosive batting makes him a title contender for GT.

6. Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – ₹10 Crore

   • The veteran pacer’s experience will bolster SRH’s pace attack.

7. Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) – ₹10.75 Crore

   • The South African speedster’s yorkers and wickets make him a lethal asset.

8. KL Rahul (Delhi Capitals) – ₹14 Crore

   • The stylish opener returns to DC after a stint with LSG, aiming to revive his IPL form.

9. Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals) – ₹11.75 Crore

   • The Australian left-armer’s swing and pace make him a rare commodity in T20 leagues.

10. Jitesh Sharma (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – ₹11 Crore

    • The young wicketkeeper-batter’s rise from domestic cricket to IPL stardom continues.

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Unsold Players: The Big Surprises

While some celebrated, others faced disappointment:

• Devdutt Padikkal (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

  • The RCB opener, once a sensation, went unsold due to inconsistent form.

• David Warner (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

  • The Australian veteran’s T20 struggles likely deterred bidders.

• Jonny Bairstow (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

  • Injuries and England’s packed schedule may have reduced his appeal.

• Ajinkya Rahane (Base Price: ₹1.5 Crore)

  • The Test specialist’s lack of T20 impact cost him a spot.

• Mayank Agarwal (Base Price: ₹1 Crore)

  • The opener’s poor IPL record overshadowed his Test heroics.

Why Were They Snubbed?

• Age and Fitness: Older players like Warner and Rahane faced scrutiny.

• Base Price Overvaluation: Some players priced themselves out (e.g., Mujeeb Ur Rahman at ₹2 crore).

• Squad Balance: Teams prioritized all-rounders and pace bowlers over specialists.

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Team-by-Team Breakdown

1. Lucknow Super Giants

   • Key Buys: Rishabh Pant (₹27 crore), David Miller (₹7.5 crore), Aiden Markram (₹2 crore).

   • Strategy: Rebuild around Pant’s leadership and invest in young guns like Markram.

2. Punjab Kings

   • Key Buys: Shreyas Iyer (₹26.75 crore), Yuzvendra Chahal (₹18 crore), Arshdeep Singh (₹18 crore).

   • Strategy: Form a spin-heavy attack with Chahal and Rahul Tripathi’s batting depth.

3. Gujarat Titans

   • Key Buys: Kagiso Rabada (₹10.75 crore), Jos Buttler (₹15.75 crore), Mohammed Siraj (₹12.25 crore).

   • Strategy: Defending champs focus on pace and explosive batting.

4. Delhi Capitals

   • Key Buys: KL Rahul (₹14 crore), Mitchell Starc (₹11.75 crore), Harry Brook (₹6.25 crore).

   • Strategy: Revive their 2020 core with Rahul and Starc.

5. Royal Challengers Bangalore

   • Key Buys: Jitesh Sharma (₹11 crore), Phil Salt (₹11.5 crore), Josh Hazlewood (₹12.5 crore).

   • Strategy: Strengthen batting and pace attack around Virat Kohli.

6. Mumbai Indians

   • Key Buys: Rohit Sharma (retained), Jasprit Bumrah (retained), Trent Boult (₹12.5 crore).

   • Strategy: Rely on experience and rebuild around Bumrah’s return.

7. Chennai Super Kings

   • Key Buys: MS Dhoni (retained), Ravindra Jadeja (retained), Devon Conway (₹6.25 crore).

   • Strategy: Stick to their “Daddy’s Army” formula with Conway as opener.

8. Sunrisers Hyderabad

   • Key Buys: Mohammed Shami (₹10 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (₹10.75 crore), Ishan Kishan (₹11.25 crore).

   • Strategy: Build a pace-heavy attack with Shami and Bhuvi.

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Trends Shaping the Auction

1. All-Rounders Are King

   • Players like Hardik Pandya (retained by GT) and Ben Stokes (sold to PBKS for ₹13 crore) fetched premiums for their multi-dimensional skills.

2. Pace Bowling Premium

   • With pitches getting slower, pace bowlers like Rabada, Shami, and Hazlewood dominated the bidding.

3. Young Indian Talent

   • Uncapped players like Yash Dhull (₹8 crore to RR) and Atharva Taide (₹30 lakh to SRH) drew big bids, signaling franchises’ focus on grooming future stars.

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Here's the list of the players sold during the IPL 2025 auction (ALL PRICES ARE IN INR)

Here's the list of the players unsold during the IPL 2025 auction (ALL PRICES ARE IN INR)

Final Thoughts

The IPL auction is more than just numbers—it’s a chessboard where franchises bet on dreams. While some players will rewrite history, others will wait for another chance. As the 2025 season unfolds, the auction’s choices will separate contenders from pretenders. Stay tuned.