IPL 2025 Auction: Glenn Phillips Likely to Trigger Bidding War Among These 4 Teams After Recent Performances

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips may have been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) following some underwhelming performances, but the most versatile cricketer is likely to garner a lot of interest in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction 2025.

SRH retained Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins and Travis Head as their capped overseas players, while the 2024 runners up also retained Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy ahead of the IPL 2025 Auction, which is set to be held on November 24 and 25.

As they used up their 5 capped retention slots, SRH will not be able to use Right to Match (RTM) on any of their other released players, including Phillips, who was bought by the Hyderabad-based franchise in the 2022 IPL Mega Auction for Rs 1.50 Crore.

Before being roped in by SRH, Phillips had turned up for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2021 season when he was brought in by the Jaipur-based side as replacement for injured Jofra Archer.

The Kiwi all-rounder is likely to enter the big auction with the same reserve price of Rs 1.50 Crore, but his recent performances for New Zealand may have seen his stocks rise right in time for the IPL Auction.

The 27-year-old, who has played in only 8 IPL matches during his time at SRH and RR, scoring just 65 runs and picking up 2 wicket, has been a much improved cricketer that can bat, bowl, field and also keep wickets.

There is rarely someone who can perform well at all the facets of the game. Phillips is under-rated for his ability to play those big shots and roll his arms over when required. While his IPL numbers make for a poor reading, his overall T20 stats are decent.

Phillips has scored 6471 runs in 236 T20 innings at a strike rate of 140.58. He has smashed 5 hundreds and 43 fifties, playing across various other leagues. He has also hit 341 sixes and 489 fours in his T20 career.

The right-arm spin all-rounder has also chipped in with 23 wickets in 45 bowling innings, while he doesn't keep wickets for New Zealand or most franchise teams recently, Phillips has executed 10 stumpings and claimed 136 catches with the gloves behind the stumps.

For someone, who is a wicketkeeper, Phillips delivers above expectations with the ball which was seen during the recent Test series in India, and most recently during the T20I against Sri Lanka when New Zealand defended 108 to level the series.

Thrown the ball to defend 8 in the final over with well-set Pathum Nissanka at the crease, Phillips did splendidly in the pressure situation, conceding just two runs and claiming three wickets to seal the tie in New Zealand's favour.

This was one of his many standout moments. If picked by the right team, Phillips will go on to cement his place as one of the best all-rounders in the IPL. But, who will take a punt? Or will this recent display trigger a small bidding war?

Which four teams will be keen on Glenn Phillips at IPL Mega Auction 2025?

Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB), who will need to fill their overseas slots and will be in need of an all-rounder that can finish games, will be on top of the queue for the Kiwi star.

At the bidding table, RCB could be rivalled by Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and the richest team coming into the auction Punjab Kings, in their attempt to land the talented New Zealand all-rounder.

Mumbai Indians could do with a finger spinner that can finish games when required, while DC and PBKS will have room to go all out for someone like Phillips, who could be a brilliant addition for any team.

Even the remaining 6 teams including his two former teams Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, could arrive to the potential bidding war for the dimunitive Blackcaps star.