IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Timings Adjusted Amid Test Match, Over 577 Players to Go Under the Hammer
Changes in Auction Schedule, Star Players Including Jofra Archer to Participate
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - The countdown to the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has officially begun, and in just a few hours, the stage will be set for the much-awaited mega auction. The auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, 2024, with a slight change in timing.
The auction, initially scheduled to start at 3:00 PM IST, will now begin at 3:30 PM IST and continue until 10:30 PM IST. This change has been made due to the ongoing Test match between India and Australia in Perth. The match, initially expected to conclude by 2:50 PM IST, extended into the late hours of Friday, prompting the auction organizers to push back the start time by 30 minutes.
577 Players Set to Be Auctioned, Including England's Jofra Archer
A total of 577 players, including 367 Indian and 210 international cricketers, will compete for a spot in the IPL 2025 season. Out of these, 204 slots will be available, with 70 reserved for foreign players. Notably, England's star pacer, Jofra Archer, is among the players hoping for a bid at the mega auction. Among the Indian players, 48 are capped, while the rest are uncapped. From the international pool, 197 players are capped, and 12 are uncapped, with three players from Associate nations also hoping to make their mark.
Price Categories for Players: High Stakes in the Auction
In the upcoming auction, a total of 82 players have set their base price at ₹2 crore, while 27 players are listed at ₹1.5 crore. There are also 18 players with a base price of ₹1.25 crore and 23 players at ₹1 crore. Other categories include 92 players priced at ₹75 lakh, 8 at ₹50 lakh, 5 at ₹40 lakh, and 320 players valued at ₹30 lakh.
Where to Watch the Auction: Live Coverage on Star Sports and Jio Cinema
The IPL 2025 mega auction will begin at 1:00 PM (local time) in Saudi Arabia, translating to 3:30 PM IST in India. Fans can watch the auction live on Star Sports TV and stream it on the Jio Cinema app. The event promises to be a thrilling spectacle as teams look to build their dream squads for the upcoming season.