The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is expected to be held on November 24 and 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially confirmed the venue or dates, sources indicate that final arrangements are underway, with an announcement expected soon.
A scheduling challenge has arisen, as the auction dates overlap with India’s first Test match against Australia in Perth, scheduled from November 22 to 26. Disney Star, the broadcast rights holder for both the IPL and the India-Australia Test series, is keen to prevent a direct clash between the events. Due to the time difference with Australia, however, an afternoon auction (IST) would likely avoid conflict with the Test match broadcast.
With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching, anticipation is high as franchises prepare to bid on top players. Among the key names are Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, and Ishan Kishan, each known for their influence in the T20 format. These players offer a combination of batting power, leadership, and fielding skills, making them highly valuable for franchises aiming to strengthen their 2025 squads.
Several franchises have already announced their retained players, but these five are expected to spark fierce bidding. Teams are strategizing to secure top talent within budget, with Pant’s explosive batting-wicketkeeping, Iyer’s leadership, and Rahul’s batting consistency as particularly attractive assets for the fast-paced IPL environment.
Reports suggest that BCCI officials have conducted preliminary visits to Saudi Arabia to evaluate venues, and a second delegation is expected to travel to finalize details. Although Jeddah was initially considered, Riyadh has emerged as the most likely location for the two-day auction. The BCCI also considered Dubai, Singapore, and Vienna, but Saudi Arabia appears to have been selected as the preferred venue.
As the event moves outside India, IPL franchises are urging the BCCI to finalize the venue and dates quickly to allow for travel and logistics planning. With the retention deadline set for October 31, teams are finalizing their player lists before shifting focus to the auction.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
