IPL 2025 Mega Auction Schedule: All You Need to Know

The 2025 IPL Auction is just around the corner, and the excitement is building. The two-day event promises high-stakes bidding as franchises compete to shape their squads for the next three years of the Indian Premier League. This auction is only the second time it’s being held overseas, with last year’s event taking place in Dubai. Scheduled for November 24-25, 2024, the auction will kick off at 3:00 PM IST (local time 12:30 PM) and will overlap with the Australia vs. India Test in Perth. Let’s explore the key details of the 2025 IPL Auction.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction Details

Details	Information
IPL 2025 Mega Auction Date	November 24-25, 2024
Time	12:30 PM (local) and 3:00 PM (IST)
Venue	Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Auction Format	Mega Auction held every three years
Auction Duration	Expected to be a two-day event
Retention Rules	6 Players can retain Including Right To Match (RTM) card
Team Budget for Auction	₹120 Crore per team; a minimum of 75% (₹75 Crore) must be spent on players
Right to Match Card	Likely to be given to each franchise
Player Categories	Capped Players (Indian internationals), Uncapped Players (Indian domestic), Non-Indian (capped/uncapped foreign)
Expected Number of Matches	Proposed 84 matches for the next season, increasing to 94 by 2027
Squad Composition Rules	Minimum 18 players, maximum 25 players per team; no more than 8 overseas players, with only 4 allowed to field at once
Shortlisted Players of IPL 2025 Auction	Capped Indians: 48 players, Capped Overseas: 193 players, Associate Nation Players: 3 players, Uncapped Indians: 318 players, Uncapped Overseas: 12 players

Team Budgets for IPL 2025 Mega Auction

From the 2025 season, each IPL franchise has a budget of ₹120 Crore, up from the previous limit of ₹100 Crore. This increase will allow teams to compete aggressively for top talent, including both Indian (capped and uncapped) and overseas players.

Biggest Retentions Before the IPL 2025 Mega Auction

A few players have already been retained for hefty sums ahead of the auction. Heinrich Klaassen, Virat Kohli, and Nicholas Pooran have all been retained for over 20 Crores, with Klaassen topping the list at 23 Crores. Other top names retained for 18 Crores include:

1. Pat Cummins (SRH)
2. Sanju Samson (RR)
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR)
4. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)
5. Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
6. Jasprit Bumrah (MI)
7. Rashid Khan (GT)

These retention costs will be deducted from each team’s total budget of 120 Crore, influencing their spending strategies at the auction.

What Makes the 2025 Auction a ‘Mega Auction’?

Every three years, the IPL hosts a mega auction, allowing teams to rebuild their squads almost from scratch. For the 2025 auction, each team is permitted to retain a maximum of six players, meaning franchises will aim to pick up new talent during the auction. In contrast, mini-auctions, which occur annually, allow franchises to retain as many players as they wish and only last one day. Mega auctions take two days due to the larger pool of players up for grabs.

Marquee Players to Watch Out For IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Yes, the 2025 Auction will feature marquee players, similar to previous editions. This year, there are two marquee sets:

First Set

1. Jos Buttler
2. Shreyas Iyer
3. Rishabh Pant
4. Kagiso Rabada
5. Arshdeep Singh
6. Mitchell Starc

Second Set

1. Yuzvendra Chahal
2. Liam Livingstone
3. David Miller
4. KL Rahul
5. Mohammed Shami
6. Mohammed Siraj

These marquee players will lead the auction with fierce competition expected from the teams.

Auction Format and Bidding Process in IPL Mega Auction 2025

The auction will begin with the marquee players, split into two groups of six. After that, the bidding will move on to capped players, sorted by their roles: batters, all-rounders, wicketkeeper-batters, fast bowlers, and spin bowlers. Uncapped players will also go through a similar grouping process.

After the first 116 players are bid on, the auction will enter an accelerated phase covering players 117 to 574. If there are any unsold players, franchises can suggest their names to be reconsidered in another rapid round.

Top Names in the 2025 Mega Auction

Beyond the marquee sets, there are several big names to watch out for. Among the Indian players, expect interest around Ishan Kishan, R. Ashwin, Harshal Patel, and Deepak Chahar, among others. Key Indian bowlers like Venkatesh Iyer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur will also be up for grabs.

On the international front, some of the top names include:

1. David Warner
2. Glenn Maxwell
3. Faf du Plessis
4. Quinton de Kock
5. Sam Curran
6. Marcus Stoinis
7. Jonny Bairstow

The competition for overseas talent is sure to be intense as franchises look to secure the perfect mix of Indian and international players for a winning formula.

IPL 2025 Mega auction be a game-changing event, with each team strategizing to build the best possible squad. With the increased budget and top players available, the auction promises excitement for fans and franchises alike. Keep an eye on the two-day event to see which teams come out as winners and how the squads shape up for another thrilling season of the IPL!

FAQs about 2025 IPL Mega Auction

1. Why is the 2025 IPL Auction being held overseas, and why was Jeddah chosen as the venue?

The 2025 IPL Auction is only the second to be held overseas. This decision aims to expand the global reach of the IPL, tapping into new fan bases. Jeddah was chosen for its growing interest in cricket and the opportunity to attract more international viewership and sponsors from the Middle East.

2. Will there be any changes to the IPL format after the 2025 Mega Auction?

Yes, the proposed number of matches will increase. In 2025, the IPL season is set to have 84 matches, with plans to expand to 94 matches by 2027. This increase aims to offer more content and engagement for fans while increasing revenue opportunities for franchises.

3. How does the Right to Match (RTM) card work, and how many can each team use in 2025?

The RTM card allows teams to retain a player by matching the highest bid made by another franchise. In the 2025 auction, each team is expected to receive one RTM card, which can be used during the bidding to keep a player they previously had.

4. What are the key strategies teams might adopt given the increased budget for 2025?

With the budget rising to ₹120 Crore, franchises will likely aim to spend more on top-tier international players while balancing squad depth with domestic talent. The increased budget encourages aggressive bidding, especially for marquee players and promising uncapped players.

5. How are player base prices set for the auction?

Player base prices are categorized into different brackets, ranging from ₹20 Lakh to ₹2 Crore for capped players and ₹10 Lakh to ₹50 Lakh for uncapped players. Each player, in consultation with their agents, sets a base price before the auction, which impacts the starting point for bidding.

6. What is the significance of the accelerated phase in the auction?

The accelerated phase, which occurs after the first 116 players are bid on, is designed to speed up the process for the remaining players. Teams can nominate specific unsold players to be reconsidered, allowing franchises to revisit their choices strategically in a faster-paced environment.

7. Will the auction process be broadcasted live, and where can fans watch it?

Yes, the 2025 IPL Auction will be broadcasted live on major sports networks and digital platforms. Fans in India can watch it on Star Sports and Jio Cinema app, while international viewers will have access via various streaming services catering to their region.

8. How are associate nation players treated in the 2025 Mega Auction?

Players from associate nations are categorized separately to encourage the inclusion of emerging talent. These players are given special consideration, often featuring in a specific draft segment to increase visibility and chances of selection by franchises.

9. How do retention costs impact a team’s budget for the 2025 Mega Auction?

Retention costs are subtracted from the total budget of ₹120 Crore. For example, if a player is retained for ₹20 Crore, the franchise’s remaining budget will be ₹100 Crore. This deduction affects how teams allocate funds for the rest of the auction.

10. Are there any changes in the overseas player quota for the 2025 IPL season?

No, the overseas player limit remains unchanged. Each team can have up to 8 overseas players in their squad, with a maximum of 4 allowed in the playing XI during a match. This maintains the balance between domestic and international talent in the league.

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