Rishabh Pant News: The much-anticipated
IPL 2025 Mega Auction will take place in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this time. Scheduled for
November 24 and 25, this grand event will determine the fate of
1,574 players, including
1,165 Indian and
409 foreign players. Ahead of this unique auction, star off-spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin organized a
mock auction on his YouTube channel, allowing fans to experience the excitement of IPL preparations.
Punjab Kings Impress in Mock Auction
In Ashwin's mock auction,
Punjab Kings showcased their strategy and left everyone impressed. The team made significant bids for players like
Rishabh Pant,
Glenn Maxwell, and
Yuzvendra Chahal, signaling their intent to build a strong squad.
Rishabh Pant, not retained by Delhi Capitals this season, emerged as one of the hottest picks of the auction. In the mock auction, Punjab Kings acquired him for a record
₹20.5 crore. Additionally, the team used the
Right to Match (RTM) card to bring back Indian pacer
Arshdeep Singh for
₹13.5 crore.
Punjab’s Retentions and Major Decisions
Punjab Kings have retained only
two players this season:
- Shashank Singh (₹5.5 crore)
- Prabhsimran Singh (₹4 crore)
With this strategy, Punjab Kings enter the mega auction with a hefty purse of
₹110.5 crore, the largest among all teams. The team utilized this significant budget effectively during the mock auction.
Top Players in the Mock Auction
1. Faf du Plessis: Punjab Kings acquired the experienced batsman for
₹5.5 crore.
2. Glenn Maxwell: After intense competition among teams, Punjab secured Maxwell for
₹9.5 crore.
3. Yuzvendra Chahal: The IPL’s most successful spinner was bought by Punjab for
₹11 crore.
4. Kagiso Rabada: Punjab used their RTM card to retain Rabada for
₹10 crore.
Why Rishabh Pant is in High Demand
Rishabh Pant’s release by Delhi Capitals made him the center of attention for the mega auction. Renowned for his dynamic leadership and exceptional batting, Pant is expected to attract significant interest from all franchises. The mock auction also reflected this, as every team placed bids for him.
Mega Auction in Saudi Arabia: A New Chapter
Hosting the IPL auction in Jeddah highlights cricket’s expansion into new global markets. This event promises to be exciting for fans and represents a significant milestone in the IPL's journey toward international growth.
Conclusion
Punjab Kings showcased an aggressive strategy during Ashwin’s mock auction, securing several big names. However, the real excitement lies ahead as the actual mega auction unfolds. The Jeddah event is set to add a fresh chapter to cricket’s history, with players' destinies once again reshaped by multi-crore bids.