Sun Nov 24 10:37:00 UTC 2024: ## IPL 2025 Mock Auction Sees Rishabh Pant Fetch Record-Breaking Price
**Mumbai, India** – A mock IPL 2025 mega auction hosted by Star Sports and JioCinema sent shockwaves through the cricket world, with Rishabh Pant commanding a record-breaking INR 33 crore bid from the Punjab Kings (PBKS). The mock auction, featuring prominent cricket experts representing various teams, offered a glimpse into the potentially exorbitant prices expected at the actual auction.
Pant, who parted ways with Delhi Capitals earlier, was deemed the most sought-after player. PBKS, boasting the highest auction purse, secured the wicket-keeper batter, with representative Eoin Morgan citing Pant’s explosive batting, captaincy potential, and long-term value as justification for the massive bid. Morgan compared the investment to securing a young MS Dhoni.
Another star player, KL Rahul, fetched an impressive INR 29.5 crore, purchased by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) represented by Mike Hesson. Hesson highlighted Rahul’s experience and ability to anchor the innings, particularly crucial after Virat Kohli’s era.
Other notable purchases in the mock auction included Shreyas Iyer, bought back by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 21 crore, and significant bids for Mitchell Starc (INR 18 crore, Mumbai Indians), Arshdeep Singh (INR 16.5 crore, Punjab Kings), Yuzvendra Chahal (INR 15 crore, Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Ishan Kishan (INR 15.5 crore, Delhi Capitals).
While acknowledging that the mock auction prices were likely inflated, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, representing Delhi Capitals, confirmed that the teams’ bidding strategies reflected real-world priorities. The mock auction served as a compelling preview of the intense bidding war anticipated at the actual IPL 2025 mega auction.
First Piper 