IPL 2025 Mock Auction: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul bag huge deals, Shreyas Iyer returns to KKR

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant went for a whopping amount of money at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mock auction which was organised by broadcasters Star Sports and JioCinema. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) acquired Rahul for Rs 29.5 crore, Rishabh Pant went to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a whopping Rs 33 crore.

The IPL 2025 auction will take place on 24 and 25 November in Jeddah, Saudi rabia.

RCB had Mike Hesson representing the team whereas Eoin Morgan represented PBKS at the mock auction. Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals (DC) decided to go separate ways ahead of the auction, whereas KL Rahul was released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Despite Pant saying that he did not leave DC due to monetary reasons , the mock auction seems to suggest otherwise. Being a capable leader and an aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, Pant is expected to begin a bidding war among franchises at the IPL 2025 mega auction. PBKS have Rs 110.5 crore remaining in their purse , which is the highest among all 10 franchises. Moreover, former DC coach Ricky Ponting has taken over as PBKS coach ahead of the 2025 season.

Morgan felt that getting Pant in the PBKS squad was like getting MS Dhoni in the team. “I anticipated his price to soar between Rs 26 and Rs 29 crore, but his eventual price was a record-shattering Rs 33 crore—deservedly so. Rishabh is not just a top-order left-handed batsman but also one of the most explosive players in modern cricket. Coupled with his captaincy credentials and the potential to serve for years to come, he’s akin to securing a young MS Dhoni,” said the ODI World Cup-winning England captain.

IPL 2025 Auction |   Event timing, dates, venue, live streaming and everything else you need to know

“This is a strategic long-term investment, focused on building a robust foundation for the future. In my view, players like Pant are simply invaluable,” he added.

Hesson on acquiring Rahul at IPL mock auction

Mike Hesson, RCB’s former Director of Cricket, explained the reason behind acquiring Rahul at the mock auction. “RCB would ideally prioritize Rishabh Pant to ensure continuity after Virat Kohli, especially for long-term stability. I personally bid up to ₹32.5 crore for Pant but wouldn’t have stretched as much for KL Rahul. At 32, Rahul brings experience and the ability to anchor the innings post-Virat’s era.

“As a local talent, he also fills the critical wicket-keeping slot left vacant by DK’s exit. While RCB would likely bid aggressively for him, the final price would hinge on the dynamics and unpredictability of the auction,” the former New Zealand coach said.

Sanjay Bangar represented defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the mock auction who welcomed back Shreyas Iyer for Rs 21 crore.

“I drew inspiration from Venky Mysore’s swift auction tactics—raising the paddle decisively when targeting a player. My reasoning was clear: Shreyas is a proven winning captain, and in a dynamic format like T20, such leadership is invaluable. If KKR chose to release him, it might have been due to financial considerations, possibly Shreyas demanding a higher price that didn’t align with their valuation. The auction provided an opportunity to test his market worth.

“Yes, I exceeded the ideal budget, allocating over 15% of the purse for a captain. However, a leader of his caliber strengthens the team immensely, fostering critical partnerships with management, Chandrakant Pandit, and the support staff. For me, continuity in leadership holds unparalleled value,” the 52-year-old said.

The IPL 2025 mega auction will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 24 and 25 November. A total of 574 players will go under the hammer, with 204 slots to be filled. Aakash Chopra, ex-India batter, represented DC at the mock auction. “We’ll all agree that the prices discussed here are a little inflated, but the names I’m taking will fit the team’s strategy,” he said.

Players acquired at the IPL 2025 mock auction:

Rishabh Pant to Punjab Kings for Rs 33 crore

KL Rahul to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 29.50 crore

Shreyas Iyer to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 21 crore

Mitchell Starc to Mumbai Indians for Rs 18 crore

Arshdeep Singh to Punjab Kings for Rs 16.50 crore

Ishan Kishan to Delhi Capitals for Rs 15.50 crore

Yuzvendra Chahal to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 15 crore