Riyadh to host 2025 IPL mega auction as league continues global expansion
Saudi capital to follow in the footsteps of Dubai as 204 slots remain to be filled
Dubai: The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction for 2025 is reportedly to be held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. This move continues the trend set last year when the event took place in Dubai.
“The IPL auctions will be held in Riyadh, and it has been notified to the franchises. The likely dates are November 24 and 25,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The auctions were typically held in various cities across India until last year, when the league brought the event to the UAE, marking the first time it was held outside India.
Star players released ahead of auction
The Saudi Arabian capital will be buzzing with activity as several high-profile players were not retained by their teams. Three former captains — Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul — were let go by their respective franchises. Other notable players up for grabs include spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, along with pacer Arshdeep Singh.
A total of 204 slots, including 70 for overseas players, remain to be filled. Franchises have already retained 46 players, with a cumulative spend of Rs5.585 billion (Dh244 million).
Each team has an allotted budget of Rs1.200 billion (Dh52.40 million), meaning that a combined Rs6.415 billion (Dh280.11 million) is available to create fierce competition for top talent. Punjab Kings currently hold the largest remaining purse with Rs1.105 billion (Dh48.25 million), followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru with Rs830 million (Dh36.25 million).
Top reams retain core players
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have retained their core players, with each team securing five players, while defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals have exhausted all their options by retaining six players.
South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen became the most expensive player retained in the IPL, surpassing cricket superstar Virat Kohli. Sunrisers Hyderabad re-signed the hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman for Rs230 million (Dh10.04 million), alongside Australian captain Pat Cummins and Travis Head to complete their five retentions.
The 33-year-old Klaasen scored 479 runs this year, including four half-centuries at a strike rate of over 171, as Hyderabad ended the season as runners-up.
Klaasen’s deal broke the previous record of Rs170 million (Dh7.42 million) paid to Kohli by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2017. However, the Indian star has been retained for Rs210 million (Dh9.17 million) in this auction.