IPL Auction 2025: 'Rishabh Pant to KL Rahul', Meet the Ten Batting Machines Who Commanded Premium Prices

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The recently-concluded IPL 2025 mega auction in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah was nothing short of a spectacle, with all ten franchises splurging astronomical sums to secure marquee batters.

As batters play a substantial role in accelerating the team's scoreboard, teams didn't hesitate to break the bank to secure their services. In the last two days, as many as 116 players went under the hammer.

As always, the spotlight remained on high-impact Indian and international players. It will be quite interesting to see how the batters will go about their work in the next season. Let's now take a look at the ten most expensive batters from the IPL 2025 mega auction.

1. Rishabh Pant - INR 27 Crore (Lucknow Super Giants)

Dynamic, explosive and a proven match-winner, Rishabh Pant emerged as the auction's costliest acquisition. There was an intense bidding war for the Roorkee-born cricketer and eventually the Lucknow-based franchise secured his services.

For the record, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) outbid Delhi Capitals (DC) by splashing an eye-watering INR 27 crore to rope in the 27-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batter. As a result, Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.

Pant who scored 3,284 runs in 111 IPL games, is known for his fearless stroke play, wicketkeeping and captaincy traits. DC’s attempt to use the Right to Match (RTM) card failed as LSG refused to relent.

2. Shreyas Iyer - INR 26.75 Crore (Punjab Kings)

Fresh off guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to IPL glory in the last season, Shreyas Iyer made headlines again after he shifted his base to a franchise that has not won the title since the inaugural edition. He has joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 26.75 crore.

The stylish right-handed batter who scored 3,127 runs in 116 IPL matches, is expected to captain PBKS in the upcoming season. The Mohali-based franchise, the runners-up of the 2014 edition, will be banking heavily on his leadership skills to make a bid for the maiden title.

3. Jos Buttler - INR 15.75 Crore (Gujarat Titans)

England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who is renowned for his devastating hitting, was snapped up by Gujarat Titans (GT) for ₹15.75 crore. The 2022 Orange Cap winner, who scored 3,582 runs and seven centuries in 107 IPL matches, is expected to add a great dimension to GT's batting lineup.

The Ahmedabad-based franchise were keen to secure his signature, given his penchant for big-match performances and for his ability to change the complexion of the game with his fearless brand of cricket.

4. KL Rahul - INR 14 Crore (Delhi Capitals)

It was on the cards that LSG will be parting ways with the Bengaluru-born cricketer. Earlier, speculations were rife that RCB would go after him. However, as it turned out, KL Rahul will don the Delhi Capitals jersey in IPL 2025.

Following stints with PBKS and LSG, the Delhi-based franchise signed him for INR 14 crore. KL Rahul boasts a truckload of experience in the IPL as he has amassed a staggering 4,683 runs in 132 matches. He is likely to lead the franchise.

5. Phil Salt - INR 11.50 Crore (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Phil Salt was a hot commodity the moment KKR released him ahead of the auction. It was on the cards that he would attract a big bid at the auction table. RCB outbid KKR to sign the English international for INR 11.50 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

The Welshman had an electrifying 2024 season, where he scored 435 runs at a strike rate of 182. The ICC’s No. 1 ranked T20I batter scored 653 runs in 21 appearances in the IPL, including six half-centuries.

6. Ishan Kishan - INR 11.25 Crore (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Ishan Kishan, who is known for his flamboyant and fearless batting style, particularly at the top of the order was released by Mumbai Indians (MI) ahead of the auction. The 26-year-old found a new home with SRH as he was roped in by the Orange Army for INR 11.25 crore.

The five-time IPL champions decided not to retain Kishan as the latter had an underwhelming 2024 season, scoring 320 runs including a fifty. Overall, he scored 2,644 runs, including 16 fifties. The 2024 runners-up hopes the talented left-hander can rediscover his form in their colors.

7. Jitesh Sharma - INR 11 Crore (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Despite a lackluster 2024 season, Jitesh Sharma fetched a staggering INR 11 crore from RCB. Known for his explosive middle-order batting, the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is expected to add a great deal of depth to RCB’s lineup.

For the record, PBKS exercised their RTM card to raise the stakes for the right-hander. However, RCB eventually came out on top in the battle by securing his services. Jitesh scored 730 runs in 40 appearances at a strike rate of 151.14.

8. Jake Fraser-McGurk - INR 9 Crore (Delhi Capitals)

Delhi Capitals used their RTM card to retain Jake Fraser-McGurk for INR 9 crore and became the most-expensive Australian batter in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The young Australian batter impressed the cricket fraternity with his aggressive stroke-play in the last season.

He was one of the shining lights in Delhi Capitals' campaign, where he scored 330 runs in 9 games at a super impressive strike rate of 234, laced with four half-centuries. The 22-year-old was hotly contested by Punjab Kings but in the end, DC retained the youngster.

9. David Miller - INR 7.50 Crore (Lucknow Super Giants)

LSG acquired the veteran South African batter David Miller for ₹7.50 crore. Known for his ice-cool finishing ability, Miller is expected to add a layer of experience and balance to the team's middle order, something that the Lucknow-based franchise lacked in the last season.

LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs as they finished seventh on the points table. His knack for clutch performances makes him an absolute steal for LSG. Having played 130 games in the IPL, he scored 2924 runs at an average of 36.1, laced with 1 century and 13 fifties.

10. Devon Conway - INR 6.25 Crore (Chennai Super Kings)

New Zealand opener Devon Conway returned to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 6.25 crore in the wake of a bidding war with Punjab Kings. Eventually, CSK won the battle by securing the New Zealand international for INR 6.25 crore.

It is worth mentioning here that the left-hander was the anchor of CSK's 2023 title-winning campaign, where he scored 672 runs at a staggering batting average of 51.69, laced with six half-centuries.