The much-anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction kicked off with a bang, delivering a day filled with excitement, surprises, and record-breaking deals. Franchises collectively spent a whopping INR 467.95 crore on 72 players, marking a dramatic start to the bidding extravaganza. Teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) showcased strategic moves while others indulged in fierce bidding wars to secure top-tier players.
Shreyas Iyer grabs headlines with a huge deal
The auction began with Arshdeep Singh taking center stage as the first player under the hammer. Punjab Kings (PBKS) utilized their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain the left-arm pacer for INR 18 crore, outbidding a strong push from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). PBKS made headlines again by snapping up Shreyas Iyer for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore, a figure that eclipsed Mitchell Starc‘s INR 23.75 crore record set in the IPL 2024 auction.
Rishabh Pant breaks all-time bidding records
The fireworks didn’t stop there. In a historic moment, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Rishabh Pant for an unprecedented INR 27 crore, setting a new benchmark for the highest price ever paid in an IPL auction. KL Rahul, meanwhile, was signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 14 crore, a move widely regarded as a potential masterstroke given Rahul’s leadership potential.
Also READ: IPL 2025 [Day 1]: Complete list of players sold at the mega auction with their price
Strategic spending and remaining purses
With several marquee players off the board, Day 1 concluded with RCB holding the largest remaining purse of INR 30.65 crore, while SRH found themselves with the smallest balance of INR 5.15 crore. The contrasting strategies employed by franchises were evident, as some opted for aggressive spending on high-profile players while others focused on retaining a significant budget for the second day of bidding.
Purse remaining for all 10 IPL teams after Day 1 of auction:
| Team | Total Buys | Remaining Purse (INR Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| RCB | 6 | 30.65 |
| MI | 4 | 26.10 |
| PBKS | 10 | 22.50 |
| GT | 9 | 17.50 |
| RR | 5 | 17.35 |
| CSK | 7 | 15.60 |
| LSG | 7 | 14.85 |
| DC | 9 | 13.80 |
| KKR | 7 | 10.05 |
| SRH | 8 | 5.15 |
Also READ: From MS Dhoni to Rishabh Pant: List of most expensive players bought in each IPL auction from 2008 to 2025
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