IPL 2025: "Want to Play Cricket Again" - James Anderson Reveals Reason For Putting His Name in IPL Mega Auction

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England's Test great James Anderson has explained the rationale behind putting his name in the auction pool for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, saying that he is feeling really fit and hopes to get an opportunity to play somewhere.

Former England seamer Anderson, who retired from international cricket earlier this year and took up a coaching role, is one of the surprise players who has registered for the upcoming IPL Mega Auction 2025 at a base price of Rs 1.25 crore.

Anderson has never played in the IPL and has also not played in the shortest format for nearly a decade. The 42-year-old last played a T20 back in 2014, turning up for Lancashire in the T20 Blast.

The right-arm seamer has not featured in a white-ball game since 2019 with his last England international limited overs appearance coming in the 2015 ODI World Cup. His last T20I appearance for England came in 2009.

Having not played limited overs cricket for over a decade, Anderson's registration for the IPL 2025 auction has surprised many. But the legendary pacer said he wants to play cricket again and the 42-year-old added that he has got more to offer.

"That's the whole point of going in the auction, I think, I want to play cricket again. Whether I get picked up or not is a different matter. There's definitely a feeling inside of me that I've got more to offer, in some shape or form," Anderson was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"So, however long down the line that might be, in whatever capacity that might be I'm not sure yet. But I'm really keen to play. I feel really fit, I've been bowling still, ticking over, so I feel like I'm in a good place and I'd love to have an opportunity to play somewhere."

The fast bowler bid farewell to Test cricket as the third-highest Test wicket-taker to grace the game. After making his debut at the Lord's in 2003, Anderson ended his illustrious career with 704 Test wickets.

The England pacer finished only behind the iconic spin duo Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) in Test cricket. The 42-year-old brought down the curtains on his 22-year career with 991 international wickets.

In his short T20I career, Anderson picked 18 wickets in 19 matches, while the veteran pacer also claimed 41 wickets in 44 matches in the shortest format. In ODIs, Anderson finished with 269 wickets in 194 matches.