IPL 2025: Team-wise one overseas player might be benched for a whole season. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
The (Indian Premier League) IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia turned out to be an intriguing affair as teams assembled strong squads in a bid to win the coveted title. A total of 182 players sold in the two-day IPL 2025 mega auction for a staggering sum of INR 639.15 crore.
Most of the teams not only managed to build potentially strong playing XIs but also roped in backup players who could step in when needed and contribute significantly towards winning games. Since the mega auction ended in the dying minutes on Monday, November 25, the spotlight has been on the star players acquired by the 10 franchises. However, CricTracker gives its valuable readers a list of overseas cricketers who might not get a game for their franchise in the 18th edition of the cash-rich league.
Team-wise one overseas player who might be benched for a whole season in IPL 2025:
Mumbai Indians – Bevon Jacobs
Mumbai Indians (MI) caught a lot of cricket fans off-guard when they roped in uncapped New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs at his base price of INR 30 lakh. The right-handed batter has played six innings in T20 cricket and has scored 134 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 188.73.
In an interview after being picked up by Mumbai, Jacobs himself admitted that getting a game will be a bonus for the five-time champions and his main motive will be to hone his skills alongside some of the best cricketers in the world. With international batters like Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton already in the squad, Jacobs might have to wait in the wings for the entire season.
Punjab Kings – Aaron Hardie
Aaron Hardie was signed by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for his base price of INR 1.25 crore. He is talented enough to be a regular starter for any team in the IPL. The seam-bowling all-rounder has played 13 T20Is for Australia, scoring 128 runs and picking up 10 wickets.
However, the 25-year-old finds himself in a squad that also has three reputed seam-bowling all-rounders in Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Azmatullah Omarzai. With a lot of money being shelled out to acquire the services of Stoinis and Jansen, it is highly unlikely that they would be benched in favor of Hardie. Omarzai’s experience, in international cricket as well as in the IPL, could keep him ahead of Hardie in the pecking order.
Gujarat Titans – Karim Janat
The 2022 IPL champions had a dismal outing last season as they finished third from the bottom. However, they have their sights on a strong comeback as they assemble a formidable squad at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Last season, they had Omarzai trying to play the role of their former captain Hardik Pandya, but the Afghanistan all-rounder couldn’t live up to his potential.
Now, Omarzai’s compatriot Karim Janat, who possesses similar skill sets, will look to showcase his potential in the 10-team competition. However, the medium-pace-bowling all-rounder might struggle to make it to the playing XI, with the in-form Sherfane Rutherford being in the mix. The West Indies cricketer will provide more batting firepower compared to Janat and can also roll his arm over when required. There is also the option of playing spin-bowling all-rounder Glenn Phillips.
Also Read: Ranking Kolkata Knight Riders’ Top 3 buys from IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Lucknow Super Giants – Matthew Breetzke
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) signed South African wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Breetzke for his base price of INR 75 lakh. The right-handed batter plays for Durban Super Giants in the SA20. He had solid campaigns in SA20 2024 and the T20 Blast this year.
However, the 26-year-old might have to spend the entire season on the bench as Lucknow have some world-class overseas stars like Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Mitchell Marsh in their ranks. Breetzke’s wicketkeeping ability will not help him much, as there are explosive wicketkeeper-batters like Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran also in the squad. Pant is expected to lead the team while Pooran is the most expensive overseas player in the side.
Delhi Capitals – Donovan Ferreira
Donovan Ferreira, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter from South Africa, joined Delhi Capitals for INR 75 lakh. He has a strike rate of nearly 160 in the shortest format of the game. The 26-year-old has played four T20Is and two IPL matches so far in his career.
KL Rahul is expected to don the wicketkeeping gloves for Delhi and also lead the team. The Capitals already retained two talented wicketkeepers Tristan Stubbs and Abishek Porel. Therefore, it will be hard for Ferreira to make his debut for the Capitals in IPL 2025.
Chennai Super Kings – Nathan Ellis
Nathan Ellis is a very handy bowler to have in the T20 format because of his unique skill set. The Australian pacer is a genuine wicket-taker, who can make an impact if he is used in the middle overs and at the death. He also has the experience of playing 20 T20Is for Australia and 16 IPL matches for Punjab Kings.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) roped him in for INR 2 crore after winning a bidding war with Punjab Kings. The Men in Yellow brought back Sam Curran and he is expected to feature in the playing XI with Matheesha Pathirana. Devon Conway and Noor Ahmad could be the other two overseas players in the starting XI for Chennai. CSK love to have depth in the batting department and this could help bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton stay ahead of Ellis in the pecking order. Therefore, the Greenacre-born might have to watch the action from the sidelines in IPL 2024.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi has played 43 T20Is and 14 IPL matches so far in his career, and picked up 63 and 25 wickets, respectively. His stats accentuate that he is a genuine wicket-taker, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would consider themselves lucky to have gotten him at his base price of INR 1 crore.
However, it won’t be easy for him to get a game with overseas pacers like Josh Hazlewood and Nuwan Thushara also in the side. Hazlewood was the most expensive buy for RCB at the IPL 2025 auction, as he went for INR 12.50 crore. The Australian speedster will start for them, and Thushara might be second in line because he has done well in the shortest format in recent times. At best, Ngidi might get one or two games here and there.
Rajasthan Royals – Kwena Maphaka
Kwena Maphaka, 18, has been signed by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for INR 1.50 crore. The left-arm seamer played two games last season in the IPL and conceded runs at an economy rate of 1483. His economy rate in three T20Is is a high 8.95.
Maphaka has immense talent but he might need a little bit more time to hone his craft in the unforgiving format for bowlers. The Royals recalled Jofra Archer for INR 12.50 crore and he is expected to start in every game if he remains fit. There is also an option of playing Fazalhaq Farooqi, who is also a left-arm seamer like Maphaka but has more experience on his side. Therefore, the South African teenager might have to warm the bench in the upcoming season.
Check Also: Ranking Mumbai Indians Top 3 buys from IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Eshan Malinga
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bagged the services of Eshan Malinga after winning a bidding war against Rajasthan Royals. The uncapped Sri Lankan was roped in for INR 1.20 crore after the bidding started at his base price of INR 30 lakh.
SRH picked up Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel at the auction and the two experienced Indian seamers are expected to form a trio with captain Pat Cummins. With Indian pacers like Jaydev Unadkat and Simarjeet Singh in the mix, Malinga might have to wait for his chance. Also, England’s Brydon Carse will give stiff competition to Malinga for a spot in the playing XI, in case SRH wants to go in with another overseas seamer apart from Cummins.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali went unsold initially before Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured his services for INR 2 crore. He will serve as the backup for Sunil Narine. The defending champions are expected to have Quinton de Kock, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Anrich Nortje as their four frontline foreigners.
West Indies’ T20 captain Rovman Powell will be ahead in the pecking order if KKR needs a replacement. Moeen might have to spend the season on the bench unless something happens to Narine. However, that would hamper KKR’s bowling combination severely as the England all-rounder might find it very difficult to complete his four overs without giving away too many runs on the flat wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.