The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as the most lucrative and popular domestic Twenty20 cricket competition globally.

Stadiums are packed to capacity, with millions more tuning in from home. Team owners are celebrities, and from March to May, players are treated like rock stars.

Anyone with a solid skill set in batting, bowling, or both, dreams of playing in the IPL. The 10 teams build their rosters through an auction, and this year, Rishabh Pant, India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, made history as the most expensive player ever in IPL’s 16-year run. The Lucknow Super Giants secured him for a staggering $3.2 million, a price that reflects his salary.

The auction for the 2025 season is being held over two days in Saudi Arabia, part of a commercial partnership as the kingdom expands its investments in cricket.

A Quick Reminder About the IPL

Twenty20 (T20) cricket was created by New Zealand cricket legend Martin Crowe as a response to dwindling crowds. It’s the shortest and most fast-paced format of the game, designed to be TV-friendly and typically lasts about 3 1/2 hours, sometimes less.

After India’s triumph in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, Indian cricket officials decided to launch a homegrown T20 league, which became the IPL in 2008. The IPL teams are based on different states and cities across India.

What is the IPL Auction?

The IPL Auction, held annually, attracts some of the biggest cricket stars from around the world. Close to 1,600 players enter, and that list is narrowed down to 577 for the chance to be one of the 204 players selected, of which 70 can be international players.

Each team is given a budget of $14.3 million to pick 18 players (with a maximum of 25 on their roster). Of these 18, up to eight can be from overseas, and the remaining 17 must be Indian. On the field, each team is allowed to have no more than four overseas players in their starting XI.

Players set their base price, and the highest bidder wins the player’s services, which becomes their salary. Every three years, a mega auction takes place, where teams can only retain six players and must rebuild for the next three seasons. This year’s auction is a mega auction.

Who Was Bought?

Rishabh Pant, the youngest player to debut for India in T20s at 19 in 2017, had played his entire IPL career with the Delhi Capitals, even captaining them this year. However, Delhi wasn’t willing to match the Lucknow Super Giants’ record bid of $3.2 million, making Pant the most expensive player in IPL history.

That record bid came shortly after the Punjab Kings set a new record, paying $3.18 million for batter Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title this year.

The previous record of $2.9 million was set by Kolkata for Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc last year. However, Starc was bought back for only $1.4 million by Delhi Capitals this time, as Kolkata preferred to spend $2.8 million to retain India allrounder Venkatesh Iyer.

The Gujarat Titans made headlines by securing England captain Jos Buttler for $1.88 million, after the Rajasthan Royals were unable to buy him back. They also signed South Africa's Kagiso Rabada for $1.28 million.

Fast bowlers were in high demand, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru spent $1.26 million for former India international Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had set a base price of $24,000. Bengaluru also bought Australia’s Josh Hazlewood for $1.49 million on Sunday.

A major surprise was 13-year-old top-order batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player ever to earn an IPL contract. He was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for $130,000 after scoring a remarkable 58-ball century for India Under-19s against Australia last month.

The 2025 IPL auction once again showcased the league's financial muscle and global appeal, with record-breaking bids and unexpected surprises. As teams finalize their rosters, anticipation builds for another electrifying season of fast-paced T20 cricket.

With emerging talents like 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi making history and established stars commanding millions, the IPL continues to evolve as a spectacle that blends sports, entertainment, and business. As the tournament kicks off, cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the action-packed battles that make the IPL the premier T20 league on the planet.