Jeddah [Saudi Arabia] – The IPL 2025 mega auction delivered surprises on its second day as Punjab Kings successfully acquired South African all-rounder Marco Jansen, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru added experienced campaigner Krunal Pandya to their squad. However, the auction also saw seasoned star Shardul Thakur going unsold, despite his notable IPL track record.
Shardul Thakur Fails to Attract Bidders
In the capped all-rounders’ segment, the first name on the block was Shardul Thakur, who had a less-than-stellar IPL 2024 season with Chennai Super Kings. Many expected at least a modest bidding war for the experienced all-rounder, but surprisingly, no franchise raised their paddle, leaving Thakur without a team.
Washington Sundar Finds a Buyer in Gujarat Titans
Washington Sundar, currently part of India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad in Australia, initially faced a similar fate with no bids. After a brief consultation at the Gujarat Titans’ table, Ashish Nehra initiated a bid, which eventually drew interest from Lucknow Super Giants. The bidding saw steady momentum, but Gujarat Titans clinched Sundar for ₹3.2 crore after outlasting their competition.
Marco Jansen Moves to Punjab Kings
South African all-rounder Marco Jansen sparked an intense bidding war, beginning with his base price of ₹1.25 crore. Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings quickly went head-to-head, with Gujarat Titans entering the fray after MI stepped back. The bids soared past ₹5 crore, but Punjab Kings ultimately sealed the deal at ₹7 crore, bringing Jansen from Sunrisers Hyderabad to their squad.
Krunal Pandya Joins RCB in a Fierce Contest
Krunal Pandya, a seasoned player in the IPL, attracted strong interest from Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. The two franchises engaged in a competitive bidding war, with RCB finally outbidding RR at ₹5.75 crore to secure Pandya’s services.
Rajasthan Royals Bounce Back with Nitish Rana
After missing out on Pandya, Rajasthan Royals shifted focus to Nitish Rana. Starting at a base price of ₹1.50 crore, Rana attracted bids from Chennai Super Kings and RCB. Despite initial interest from CSK, the Royals emerged victorious, signing Rana for ₹4.2 crore to strengthen their batting lineup.
Unsold Players Include Big Names
The auction also saw several notable players go unsold, including New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope. Both players failed to garner any interest, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the IPL auction.
Conclusion
The second day of the IPL 2025 auction showcased the strategic priorities of franchises as they balanced star power with team requirements. While Marco Jansen and Krunal Pandya emerged as key signings, the lack of bids for seasoned players like Shardul Thakur highlighted the evolving dynamics of team composition in the world’s most-watched T20 league.
