IPL 2025 Auction: 5 players who deserved higher bids

Sam Curran. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

The mega auction for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) had 577 players shortlisted from a total of 1,574 registrations which went under the hammer. Out of the 577, only 182 players were bid for. 120 Indians and 62 overseas players were ultimately distributed across the 10 franchises.

There were quite a lot of players who garnered a flurry of bids and understandably fetched a hefty sum. However, there were a whole lot of players who did get sold, not at the value at which people were expecting them to get bought, despite having a respectable track record in the IPL as well as 20-over cricket. Below is a list of five players who deserved higher bids than what they eventually ended up securing.

Check out top 5 players who deserved higher bids in IPL 2025 auction:

5. Ashutosh Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma. (Photo Source – Instagram/Ashutosh Sharma)

Unlike all the names mentioned above, Ashutosh Sharma is a newbie to the cash-rich league, having only one season of experience under his belt. However, the manner in which he batted in most of the nine innings was as if he was an IPL stalwart. His middle-order exploits were heartening to witness, often leading PBKS to a much more comfortable position in the match. 

His domestic T20 performances have already established him as a reliable six-hitter. Being sold to DC at a final amount of INR 3.80 crore was quite unexpected. Ahead of the Deadline Day on which the retentions were to be finalized, there were a lot of reports doing the rounds which almost confirmed him to be one of the players who would be retained.

4. Sam Curran

Sam Curran. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Sam Curran was once the highest-bid player at the IPL auction. From being contracted at a whopping INR 18.50 crore at Punjab Kings to reuniting with CSK at a meagre figure of INR 2.40 crore, it has indeed been a reversal of fortunes for the English all-rounder. IPL 2023 was the best for Curran in terms of his performances with the willow and the subsequent one with the ball.     

Curran has also been a consistent performer in franchise competitions other than the IPL. The Englishman has constantly shown his ability to be a powerful striker of the ball. He is also a reliable death bowler with a bag of variations up his sleeve.

3. Quinton de Kock

Quinton De Kock. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

In the same vein as his aforementioned compatriot, Quinton de Kock was bagged for a stunningly low fee of INR 3.60 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders. He has been someone who has slowly but surely made a mark in the IPL. De Kock failed to obtain an adequate sample of opportunities in his first three seasons. 

However, de Kock has only grown from strength to strength, starting from 2016 which was a breakout season while representing DC. 2019 to 2022 saw the wicketkeeper-batter score 500-plus runs on three instances. In the past many years. he has displayed his affinity for pace on the ball as well as the ease with which he executes sweeps and reverse sweeps against spinners.

2. Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Much like Rahul, Faf du Plessis has also had a long-standing affiliation with the IPL. The former IPL winner for Chennai Super Kings on two occasions found a new home with Delhi Capitals. Surprisingly enough, he was bought at his base price of INR 2 crore. 

No other franchise other than the Capitals bid for him in what was their first purchase on the second day of the auction. Despite having retired from international cricket in 2021, he has been a dependable asset as an opener. Other than the rich expertise du Plessis brings to any side with his multifaceted batting, he also offers utility in terms of being a live wire on the field.

1. KL Rahul

KL Rahul. (Source – Getty Images)

Arguably one of the classiest batters going around, KL Rahul‘s INR 14 crore deal with Delhi Capitals could be considered one of the biggest steal deals during the two-day event in Jeddah. Considering the sheer experience he possesses in the bank as well as a whole of fellow Indians being bid for a lot more rigorously, Rahul’s acquisition would seem peculiar in nature. Ahead of the auction, there were extensive deliberations on the colossal amount Rahul would end up being bought at. 

He has almost always been a force to reckon with at the top of the order. Two of Rahul’s most prolific seasons in terms of average (55.83 and 62.60) came while he was shouldering the burden of captaincy on himself. He is also a more than able leader, an attribute which was exhibited during his three-year stint with Lucknow Super Giants. Two out of the three seasons saw LSG finish third on the points table.