IPL 2025 Mega Auction Guide: Key Details, Players to Watch, and Auction Strategy
The IPL 2025 mega auction promises excitement and strategic moves as teams refresh their rosters. Here’s everything to know about this year’s mega auction, from dates to players to the mechanics of retention and Right-to-Match (RTM) options.
When and Where Is the IPL 2025 Auction?
- Dates: November 24-25, 2025
- Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Schedule: Yet to be confirmed; coincides with the third and fourth days of the Australia vs India Test in Perth.
This marks the second time the auction is held overseas, following the 2024 event in Dubai.
Why Is This a 'Mega Auction'?
In mega auctions, held every three years, teams can retain only up to six players. All other players are released into the auction pool, enabling a complete overhaul of the squads. Regular mini auctions in non-mega years allow teams to retain more players, but with fewer players up for auction, they only last one day. With hundreds of players to consider, mega auctions span two days.
How Many Players Are in the Auction?
A total of 1574 players registered, but this list will be trimmed after franchise consultations. The final roster will feature both prominent Indian and international players, though the full list hasn’t been released.
Expected Marquee Players
While it’s not yet confirmed, marquee players are traditionally auctioned first. This year’s auction may kick off with high-profile players, both domestic and international.
Key Indian Players
- Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj and more.
Key International Players
- David Warner, Jos Buttler, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and others.
Budget and Squad Composition
Each franchise starts with a budget of INR 120 crore, minus any amount spent on retained players. Punjab Kings has the largest remaining purse, while Rajasthan Royals has the smallest. Teams can have up to 25 players, including a maximum of eight overseas players.
- PBKS: INR 110.5 crore, 23 slots (8 overseas)
- RCB: INR 83 crore, 22 slots (8 overseas)
- DC: INR 73 crore, 21 slots (7 overseas)
- CSK: INR 55 crore, 20 slots (7 overseas)
- KKR: INR 51 crore, 19 slots (6 overseas)
In total, 204 slots remain across all teams, with 70 reserved for overseas players.
Right-to-Match (RTM) Options
Teams have RTM options based on their retained players, allowing them to rebid for a previously owned player if another franchise wins the bid.
- RTM Usage: PBKS has the most RTM options (4), followed by RCB (3), DC (2), and several teams with 1. KKR and RR do not have any RTM options.
- How RTM Works: If a previous player is purchased by another team, the original franchise can match the winning bid to reclaim the player. If the winning team raises the bid, the original team must match it to retain the player.
Teams’ Retained Players and Strategy
Teams retained some core players to ensure stability:
Mumbai Indians
- Retained: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma
- RTM: 1 option (1 uncapped player)
Chennai Super Kings
- Retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni
- RTM: 1 option (capped or uncapped)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Retained: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal
- RTM: 3 options (uncapped and capped players)
This mega auction is a critical reset for franchises and an opportunity to strategize for a new three-year cycle.
