The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its most anticipated event - the mega auction. A whopping 1574 cricketers, including 1165 Indians, have signed up for the mega auction ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, the BCCI announced on Tuesday. The list includes 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players and 30 players from the Associate Nations. Among the capped players, 48 are from India. Moreover, 965 uncapped players of the country will also be part of the auction. The player registration officially closed on Monday and a total of 409 overseas players will also go under the hammer.
Here is a look at five overseas players who have lined up for IPL 2025 mega auction and could steal the show:
James Anderson
Fast bowling legend James Anderson has registered himself for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. The 42-year-Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has registered for the IPL for the first time. The veteran pacer last played a T20 10 years ago in 2014. He has never competed in a global franchise T20 league. He has a base price of Rs 1.25 crore. Last season several England players were criticized as they had to leave the IPL season midway to prioritize intentional commitments. It would be interesting to see if Anderson gets suitors given that he will have no international matches to play during the summer.
Babar Azam
The Pakistan captain Babar Azam has also thrown his hat in the ring for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Babar, who is currently the No.1 batter in ODIs and T20Is, has a base price of Rs 2 crore. The 28-year-old has been in sensational form across formats and his inclusion in the auction will be a major boost for the franchises. Babar has never played in the IPL before and his addition to the league will be a massive draw for the fans.
Rashid Khan
Afghanistan's spin wizard Rashid Khan is another high-profile overseas player who has registered for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Rashid, who has been a consistent performer in the IPL, has a base price of Rs 2 crore. The 24-year-old has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the past and has scalped 112 wickets in 88 IPL matches. Rashid's ability to bowl economical spells and pick up crucial wickets makes him a valuable asset for any franchise.
Shakib Al Hasan
Bangladesh's all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has also thrown his name in the hat for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Shakib, who has a base price of Rs 1.5 crore, has played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past. The 35-year-old is one of the most experienced all-rounders in world cricket and his inclusion in the auction will be a boost for the franchises looking to add some firepower to their squads.
Trent Boult
New Zealand's left-arm pacer Trent Boult has registered himself for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Boult, who has a base price of Rs 2 crore, has been a consistent performer in the IPL over the years. The 33-year-old has played for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in the past and has scalped 127 wickets in 105 IPL matches. Boult's ability to swing the ball both ways and pick up early wickets makes him a valuable asset for any franchise.
These are just a few of the many overseas stars who have lined up for the IPL 2025 mega auction. With the auction just around the corner, the excitement among the fans is palpable as they wait to see which of these players will end up in their favorite team's lineup.
