The Jeddah IPL 2025 mega auction was a drama of ambition, strategy, and record-breaking bids. With the fall of the gavel, seven cricketers had become the costliest purchases, each with not only a massive price tag but also the hopes and expectations of their new teams. Here’s their story-those seven stars, how they were purchased, the paths that brought them there, and how they performed under the glare of expectation.
1. Rishabh Pant
When Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) acquired Rishabh Pant for an eye watering ₹27 crore, history was created. Pant became the costliest IPL player ever, breaking all records. For Pant, it was not just a figure, it was a comeback tale. Following a near-fatal accident and months of rehabilitation, Pant’s return to the IPL was greeted with excitement and tears.
As skipper, Pant infused LSG with his signature aggression and audacious batting. He went past the 300 mark yet again, continuing his run of consistent performances since 2017. His captaincy inspired the team, and his knack of winning matches in pressure situations made him the life of the team. Pant’s story in 2025 was a story of perseverance, as he showed the world that a true champion will always rise, regardless of the odds.
| Player | Matches | Runs | SR | 50s/100s | Highest |
| Rishabh Pant | 11 | 128 | 99.22 | 1/0 | 63 |
2. Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer made news by being picked up by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹26.75 crore, temporarily becoming the most expensive player, only to be overtaken by Pant’s bid. Iyer’s switch to Punjab was a new beginning after having a great run with KKR, where he had been leading from the front.
Iyer’s IPL 2025 got off to a bang: in his first two games for PBKS, he scored 149 runs, topped by a sparkling 97 at a strike rate of more than 200. His middle-order calmness and captaincy brain along with sheer batting ability brought solidity to a side that had so long been seeking consistency. Iyer’s transition from Delhi to Kolkata and now Punjab demonstrated his flexibility and desire for success, and he became the fulcrum of PBKS’s aspirations.
| Player | Matches | Runs | SR | 50s/100s | Highest |
| Shreyas Iyer | 11 | 405 | 180.80 | 4/0 | 97 |
3. Venkatesh Iyer
.jpg?type=mq)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore, relying on his all-round ability and the X-factor he introduced to their team. But the 2025 season was not easy. Iyer could not get into rhythm, scoring only 114 runs in six games at a rate of 28.50, with a single half-century.
Though there were glimpses of brilliance-like his 60-run innings-Iyer’s form was patchy, and the pressure of his price tag appeared to get to him. But his capacity to bat at a rate of over 150 and his fielding contributions took the fans back to his match-winning ability. For KKR, the expectation was that Iyer would find his best when it was needed the most.
| Player | Matches | Runs | SR | 50s/100s | Highest |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 11 | 142 | 139.21 | 1/0 | 60 |
Also read: Top 10 Richest Cricketers in India 2025: Net Worth, Investments & Business Ventures
4. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh’s emergence has been meteoric, and his ₹18 crore valuation was a reflection of his standing as one of India’s best T20 pacers. He was PBKS’s leading wicket-taker, frequently breaking decisive stands and bowling with fearlessness at the death.
Arshdeep’s transformation from a hopelessly uncapped youngster to Punjab’s strike bowler is one of dogged hard work. His capability to swing the new ball and deliver yorkers in pressure situations made him a must-have, and his performances justified every rupee invested.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
| Arshdeep Singh | 11 | 16 | 16/3 | 8.00 |
5. Yuzvendra Chahal
Another ₹18 crore pickup for Punjab Kings, Yuzvendra Chahal added experience and cunning to the bowling unit of the team. Though detailed 2025 statistics have not yet been fully released, Chahal’s status as IPL’s top wicket-taker and his ability to snap partnerships made him a shrewd signing.
Chahal’s path has been one of grit-overcoming adversity, evolving his art, and consistently delivering when his side needed him the most. In 2025, his mentorship to younger spinners and his middle overs control were instrumental to PBKS’s cause.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 11 | 14 | 28/4 | 9.81 |
Conclusion
The IPL 2025 season was defined by these five players not just for their auction prices, but for the stories they carried and the performances they delivered. From Pant’s rousing comeback to Iyer’s new captaincy role, from Arshdeep’s death overs to Chahal’s hat-trick, every player contributed a different page to the IPL story. Their stories remind us that in cricket, and in life, greatness is not measured in figures, but in the strength to rise, the determination to reinvent, and the zeal to inspire.
Written By Smita Singh
Disclaimer
The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on tradebrains.in are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Investing in equities poses a risk of financial losses. Investors must therefore exercise due caution while investing or trading in stocks. Dailyraven Technologies or the author are not liable for any losses caused as a result of the decision based on this article. Please consult your investment advisor before investing.
