The second day of the IPL 2025 mega auction, held at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah, saw Indian fast bowlers commanding significant attention and hefty price tags. Despite being out of contention for a spot in the current Indian squad, veteran pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar emerged as headline-grabbing names, with franchises going all out to secure their services.
Bhuvneshwar Joins RCB After Intense Bidding War
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the second-highest wicket-taker among pacers in IPL history with 181 wickets in 176 games, sparked a fierce bidding battle. The 33-year-old, who is also the first Indian bowler to claim 300 wickets in T20 cricket, eventually went to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for INR 10.75 crore, making him the most expensive player of the day.
The bidding began with Mumbai Indians showing interest at his base price of INR 2 crore. Lucknow Super Giants soon joined the fray, driving the price past INR 8 crore. However, RCB’s late intervention secured the deal, outlasting both MI and LSG. Surprisingly, Bhuvneshwar’s former team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, did not participate in the bidding, ending his decade-long association with the franchise.
Deepak Chahar Heads to Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians (MI) made a significant move by signing Deepak Chahar for INR 9.25 crore. Known for his ability to swing the ball upfront and deliver in crunch moments, Chahar became the centerpiece of a bidding contest between MI and Punjab Kings. With this acquisition, the five-time champions bolstered their pace attack, adding another experienced Indian bowler to their ranks.
Other Notable Fast Bowler Moves
Delhi Capitals utilized their Right-to-Match (RTM) card to retain Mukesh Kumar for INR 8 crore after an aggressive bid by Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, Tushar Deshpande, previously with Chennai Super Kings, was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals for INR 6.5 crore.
High-Profile Players Go Unsold
While fast bowlers stole the show, several big names went unsold. Former Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson, listed at a base price of INR 2 crore, failed to attract any bids. Indian batters Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, and Mayank Agarwal, along with all-rounder Shardul Thakur, also found no takers during the auction.
Other Key Buys
South African pacer Marco Jansen was picked up by Punjab Kings for INR 7 crore. Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired all-rounder Krunal Pandya for INR 5.75 crore. Washington Sundar, who recently impressed in the Test series against New Zealand, was considered a bargain buy for Gujarat Titans at INR 3.2 crore.
Summary of the Auction
The IPL 2025 auction once again highlighted the value of experienced Indian pacers in the shortest format. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar emerged as the big winners, the unsold status of prominent names like Kane Williamson underscored the unpredictable nature of the auction. With teams finalizing their squads, the upcoming season promises to deliver yet another thrilling chapter in IPL history.
