Tue Nov 26 18:56:28 UTC 2024: ## IPL Mega Auction: Pant’s Record Deal and Shock Unsold Stars

**Jeddah, Saudi Arabia** – The IPL 2025 mega auction concluded in Jeddah with a flurry of big-money deals and several surprising omissions. A total of Rs 639.15 crore was spent on 182 players, including 62 overseas stars. The auction saw Rishabh Pant become the most expensive player in IPL history, fetching a staggering Rs 27 crore deal with the Lucknow Super Giants. Thirteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi also made headlines, becoming the youngest player ever sold at auction, going to the Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.10 crore.

However, the auction also saw a number of high-profile players go unsold, marking a potential end to their IPL careers. Among the notable absentees were several veterans and former regulars. High base prices and a lack of perceived T20 specialization were cited as contributing factors.

David Warner, the former SRH captain and IPL veteran, failed to attract any bids despite a base price of Rs 2 crore. Similarly, Prithvi Shaw (base price Rs 75 lakh), Mayank Agarwal (base price Rs 1 crore), and Jonny Bairstow were all overlooked. Other notable unsold players included Sarfaraz Khan, Sikandar Raza, Shardul Thakur, Piyush Chawla, Mustafizur Rahman, Navdeep Saini, and Umesh Yadav. The absence of these experienced players highlights the shifting dynamics of the IPL and the intense competition for spots in the league. The auction raised questions about the future of these players, many of whom have significant experience and impressive records in the tournament.

Read More