IPL 2025 Auction LIVE Day 1: Action Begins with Arshdeep Singh as First Player Under the Hammer

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction kicked off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with much anticipation as franchises prepared to bolster their squads for the upcoming season. Day 1 of the auction featured intense bidding wars, with key players up for grabs in the marquee sets. The auction followed a pre-determined order, starting with the Marquee Sets, followed by Capped Batters, All-Rounders, Wicketkeepers, Capped Bowlers, and concluding with the first Uncapped Players set.

Arshdeep Singh Leads the Charge

The first player to go under the hammer was Arshdeep Singh, a highly sought-after left-arm pacer. His entry marked the beginning of a thrilling bidding war. Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad quickly entered the fray, pushing Arshdeep’s price into the high numbers. The bid for the Punjab Kings bowler soared past INR 14 crore as various franchises expressed strong interest in securing his services for IPL 2025.

Rajasthan Royals started the bidding with INR 12.50 crore, only for Sunrisers Hyderabad to up the ante with a INR 13 crore bid. This quickly escalated to INR 14 crore as RR responded. What followed was a dramatic back-and-forth between the franchises, with Arshdeep Singh emerging as one of the hottest properties in the auction.

His price continued to rise, setting the stage for other marquee players to attract attention later in the day. Notably, Punjab Kings retained their Right to Match (RTM) card, which they could use to bring Arshdeep back into their squad if the bidding price exceeded their budget.

Excitement for Top Players

As the auction progressed, attention shifted to other high-profile players who were expected to make a splash in the bidding process. Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicket-keeper batter, was one of the most anticipated players in the auction, with many expecting him to fetch one of the highest-ever bids in IPL history. Having impressed with his performances for both India and Delhi Capitals, Pant was widely tipped to cross the INR 30 crore mark. In the mock auction conducted earlier by Star Sports and JioCinema, Pant had been bought by Punjab Kings for a massive INR 33 crore.

KL Rahul, another star player, also attracted considerable interest. The wicket-keeper batsman, known for his consistency, was expected to garner a bid of INR 29.5 crore, with Royal Challengers Bangalore reportedly keen to add him to their ranks.

Shreyas Iyer, another marquee player in the auction, had been generating a lot of buzz due to his leadership skills and batting prowess. Iyer’s presence on Day 1 was another highlight, with franchises eager to secure him for IPL 2025.

The Marquee Sets: A Star-Studded Line-Up

The first day of the auction was dominated by the marquee sets, which featured some of the biggest names in world cricket. Marquee Set 1 included players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Mitchell Starc, all of whom were expected to drive intense bidding. Marquee Set 2 included KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Liam Livingstone, David Miller, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj.

Indian players made up a significant portion of the marquee sets, highlighting their importance in the auction. Seven of the 12 marquee players were capped Indian stars, underscoring the heavy demand for domestic talent in the IPL.

Bidding Dynamics and Strategy

Throughout the auction, there was a strong focus on ensuring a balanced squad, with franchises aiming to fill key positions with experienced international players and promising domestic talent. The strategic approach was clear — franchises with larger purses, such as Punjab Kings, had an advantage, but they also needed to be mindful of their budget as they competed for the top players.

The RTM (Right to Match) rule played a pivotal role in the bidding dynamics. The RTM allows a franchise that has released a player to bring them back by matching the winning bid, adding an extra layer of strategy. This meant that the bidding teams needed to carefully assess whether they were willing to outbid a rival or risk losing the player altogether.

For instance, in Arshdeep Singh's case, Punjab Kings had the RTM card and could use it to match any bid for the bowler. However, the franchise would have to ensure they did not overspend, as the RTM could only be used within the confines of their available budget.

Day 1 Highlights and What's Next

Day 1 of the IPL 2025 Auction saw intense competition, and a few surprising bids. Up to 84 players were scheduled to go under the hammer on Day 1, with the remaining players slated for Day 2. As the auction progresses, there is a lot of buzz surrounding the availability of uncapped players, who have the potential to become breakout stars in the IPL.

Some franchises, like Mumbai Indians, were under scrutiny due to their choice of keeping a smaller core squad, making their Day 1 decisions crucial. Meanwhile, franchises like Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad were actively engaging in bidding wars, indicating their desire to build strong, competitive teams for IPL 2025.

For the second day of the auction, the focus will shift to players outside the marquee sets, including uncapped players who could surprise teams with their raw talent. The accelerated auction process for these players will be fast-paced, with teams looking to make quick decisions as they round out their squads.

A New Era for IPL 2025

As the IPL 2025 Auction continues, the excitement is palpable. The intense competition for marquee players like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh indicates that this year’s auction could break records. It is expected that the INR 25 crore ceiling for player bids could be surpassed, as franchises compete to secure the best talent available.

The auction will not only shape the future of IPL 2025 but also set the stage for a season full of action, drama, and cricketing excellence. Teams will look to balance experience with youth, and the stakes will be higher than ever as franchises go all-in to build winning squads.

Stay tuned for further updates from this two-day IPL mega auction event in Jeddah.