In a historic moment during the ongoing IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was sold to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a staggering Rs. 27 crore, making him the most expensive player ever in IPL history. The dynamic left-handed batter shattered the record set earlier in the same auction by Shreyas Iyer, who was sold to PBKS for Rs.26.75 crore.
This monumental bid highlights Pant’s stature as one of the most sought-after players in the world of T20 cricket, combining explosive batting, excellent leadership potential, and top-notch wicketkeeping skills.
Breaking Records in IPL Auctions
Rishabh Pant’s Rs. 27 crore bid surpassed all previous records:
- Shreyas Iyer: Rs.26.75 crore (PBKS, IPL 2025)
- Mitchell Starc: Rs.24.75 crore (SRH, IPL 2024)
The fierce bidding war for Pant involved multiple franchises, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC), but PBKS ultimately outbid their rivals, utilizing their massive auction purse.
Rishabh Pant: The New Face of Punjab Kings
Rishabh Pant’s signing is a significant move for Punjab Kings, who are clearly aiming to become IPL powerhouses. Pant, expected to lead the team, brings unmatched charisma and an attacking brand of cricket that aligns perfectly with PBKS’s vision for IPL 2025.
Ricky Ponting, head coach of Punjab Kings, expressed his excitement:
“Pant is a generational talent. His ability to win games single-handedly makes him worth every penny. We are building a team around him, and we are confident he’ll deliver.”
Rishabh Pant’s IPL Career and Recent Form
- Previous Team: Delhi Capitals (DC)
- IPL Stats: Over 3,000 runs with an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 147.
- Leadership: Successfully captained DC for multiple seasons, taking them to the playoffs in 2020 and 2021.
- Recent Form: After recovering from injury, Pant demonstrated his prowess in the domestic circuit, earning his spot as the most expensive player in IPL history.
Auction Day Highlights
The IPL 2025 auction has been nothing short of extraordinary:
- Most Expensive Player: Rishabh Pant (Rs. 27 crore, PBKS)
- Other High Bids:
- Shreyas Iyer: Rs. 26.75 crore (PBKS)
- Mitchell Starc: Rs. 20 crore (RCB)
- Jos Buttler: Rs.18.5 crore (DC)
- Record-Breaking Budgets: Franchises entered the auction with a combined purse of Rs. 641.5 crore, the highest in IPL history.
Punjab Kings’ Aggressive Approach
Punjab Kings, with the largest auction purse of Rs.110.5 crore, have set the tone for this year’s IPL with aggressive bids for marquee players like Pant and Iyer. The team has signaled their intent to transform into title contenders after years of rebuilding.
