The IPL 2025 mega auction, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, promises to be an exhilarating event, filled with surprises, record-breaking bids, and unexpected signings. With a wealth of both Indian and international stars available, all ten IPL franchises are eager to rebuild their squads from the ground up. A total of 12 marquee players, including top Indian talents like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, have created a stir in the cricket world. From an initial list of 1,574 players, 574 have been shortlisted for the auction, which will occur from November 24 to 25.
Among the shortlisted players, there are 208 international players, 12 uncapped overseas talents, and 318 uncapped Indian players, according to Wisden. Here’s a closer look at some of the marquee players who are set to go under the hammer:
Jos Buttler (England)
Jos Buttler is one of the most lethal white-ball batters of this generation. With 11,929 runs, eight centuries, and 83 fifties in 427 T20s, Buttler has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals (RR) since 2018. He’s been the backbone of RR’s batting lineup, scoring over 3,000 runs at an average of 41.84 and a strike rate of 147.79. Buttler’s IPL 2022 performance was exceptional, where he finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 863 runs in 17 matches.
Shreyas Iyer (India)
Shreyas Iyer has been a vital player for India, particularly in ODIs, where he averages 47. He’s a dynamic T20 player too, with over 1,100 runs in T20Is. Having captained Delhi Capitals and led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL title in 2023, Iyer has proved his leadership and batting abilities. In the IPL, he has scored over 2,300 runs at an average of 31.67, with 16 half-centuries to his name.
Rishabh Pant (India)
Rishabh Pant is one of India’s most explosive players, with a reputation for performing in high-pressure situations. His T20I career may have had some ups and downs, but his overall T20 numbers are impressive. With over 5,000 T20 runs, including a century and 25 fifties, Pant has been a stalwart for Delhi Capitals (DC) since 2016. Despite his serious road accident, Pant returned to form in the 2024 IPL season, finishing as DC’s leading run-scorer with 446 runs in 13 matches.
Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
Kagiso Rabada is one of the finest fast bowlers in world cricket, with 264 wickets in T20s. Rabada has been a key performer for Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in the IPL, with 117 wickets in 80 matches. He was particularly effective for PBKS in the 2024 season, taking 11 wickets in 11 matches.
Arshdeep Singh (India)
Arshdeep Singh is a young left-arm pacer who has quickly become one of India’s most valuable T20I assets. With 92 wickets in 59 T20Is, Arshdeep has proven his worth, particularly in death overs. He has been exceptional in the IPL for Punjab Kings, taking 76 wickets in 65 matches, including a standout 2024 season where he took 19 wickets in 14 matches.
Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc is a multi-time world champion with Australia, known for his deadly pace. In T20Is, Starc has taken 79 wickets in 65 matches, and in T20 leagues worldwide, he has claimed 193 wickets in 142 matches. After returning to the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, Starc had a mixed season but delivered when it mattered, taking 17 wickets in 14 matches.
Yuzvendra Chahal (India)
Yuzvendra Chahal is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with 205 wickets in 160 matches. He has also been exceptional for India in T20Is, claiming 96 wickets in 80 matches. Chahal has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals since 2022, helping the team reach the playoffs twice in three seasons, and winning the Purple Cap in his debut season with RR.
Liam Livingstone (England)
Liam Livingstone is a powerful T20 all-rounder, known for his destructive batting and useful spin bowling. He has scored 877 runs in 53 T20Is at a strike rate of nearly 152, along with 32 wickets. In the IPL, Livingstone has played for Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, with his most impressive season being 2022 when he scored 437 runs in 14 matches for PBKS, striking at 182.08.
David Miller (South Africa)
David Miller is one of the best finishers in T20 cricket. He has made 2,473 runs in 128 T20Is at an average of 32.54, with a strike rate close to 140. In the IPL, Miller has been a valuable asset for several teams, including Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans. His performance in the 2023 IPL season, where he scored 481 runs for GT, was pivotal to the team’s title win.
KL Rahul (India)
KL Rahul is a versatile batter who can anchor or accelerate depending on the team’s needs. With over 4,600 runs in 132 IPL matches, Rahul has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. He has also been a captain for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, with notable performances, including 520 runs in 14 matches during the 2024 season.
Mohammed Shami (India)
Mohammed Shami is one of India’s most dependable pacers, with 448 wickets in 188 matches across formats. In the IPL, he has been a key performer for Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. Shami has taken 127 wickets in 110 matches, with his finest season coming in 2023, where he claimed the Purple Cap for Gujarat Titans with 48 wickets in 33 matches.
Mohammed Siraj (India)
Mohammed Siraj is a reliable pacer, particularly in T20 cricket, with 165 wickets in 91 matches. He has been an integral part of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) pace attack since 2017, taking 93 wickets in 93 matches. Siraj had a standout season in 2024, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches, and played a crucial role in RCB’s playoff qualification.
With these marquee players set to be part of the IPL 2025 mega auction, the stakes are higher than ever. The franchises will be looking to bolster their squads with these game-changing talents, making for an exciting few days in Jeddah.
