The IPL 2025 Mega Auction was a rollercoaster of a ride for the players involved. A total of 577 players went under the hammer in the two-day spectacle in Jeddah. At the end of it all, a total of 182 players were bid for and found respective franchises.
120 Indians and 62 overseas players were bought by ten teams altogether after spending a mind-boggling INR 639.15 crore. Out of these, this particular auction saw an increased amount of trust placed in the youngsters as compared to previous auctions. Of late, there has been a large volume of budding prospects who have burst onto the scene, a development which was leveraged by all franchises. Let’s have a look:
Top 10 Youngest Players in IPL 2025 (at Day 1 of mega auction)
10. Shaik Rasheed (20 years, 61 days) (Chennai Super Kings)
Shaik Rasheed has joined CSK for the forthcoming season of the IPL for a fee of INR 30 lakh. He was a part of the CSK setup in 2022, but hasn’t had chances in the playing combination for the five-time champions to put up the prodigy in him on display. His prowess with the bat in the shortest format was mainly realized at the Andhra Premier League 2024.
As captain of the Coastal Riders in APL 2024, he emerged as the third-highest run-scorer, striking at a strike-rate of 140.75. Rasheed was the vice-captain of the group which won the Under-19 World Cup in 2022. A proficient player of spin like him would be vital for CSK during next season.
9. Kumar Kushagra (20 years, 32 days) (Gujarat Titans)
Jharkhand-born Kumar Kushagra was sold for INR 65 lakh to GT. The wicketkeeper-batter was part of a three-way bidding war between GT, CSK and DC in the previous auction. The Capitals ended up landing him, but he did not fare will in the three opportunities provided in IPL 2024.
However, this does not imply that he isn’t capable of delivering impactful performances. In his fledgling career, he has seemed to have found his footing in List A cricket. The youngest Indian batter to score 250-plus in domestic cricket, as of now, can be entrusted to translate his 50-over form into impactful performances for the Titans.
8. Noor Ahmad (19 years, 326 days) (Chennai Super Kings)
Afghanistan’s spin-bowling wizard, Noor Ahmad, was bagged by CSK for INR 10 crore. At the INR 5 crore mark, his former franchise, Gujarat Titans, were willing to use their Right To Match card for Noor. However, CSK doubled his amount to which GT backed out.
One of the distinct proficiencies which make Noor a prized treasure is his rare breed who can bowl left-arm wrist-spin. He has played across a host of T20 competitions across the globe, and has built his confidence and game over time. At the international stage, he has maintained a stingy economy rate of 6.94 up until now.
7. Arshin Kulkarni (19 years, 283 days) (Lucknow Super Giants)
Arshin Kulkarni was bought back by Lucknow Super Giants at his base price of INR 30 lakh. He played just a couple of matches for LSG in IPL 2024. The power-hitter is as of now, in action with Maharashtra in the ongoing edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Arshin, whose idol is Jacques Kallis, offers a handful with the ball as well. He is a reliable option as a seam bowler who can provide crucial overs in the powerplay. He will be aiming to prove himself better than last season in IPL 2025, when provided with the opportunity of showcasing his talent.
6. Musheer Khan (19 years, 271 days) (Punjab Kings)
Younger brother of Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, was bought by Punjab Kings for his base price of INR 30 lakh. This was the first time he listed himself in the auction. Musheer has always had a strong work ethic when it comes to honing his skills.
The past edition of the Ranji Trophy was an outstanding one for him. Apart from being a precious asset in the middle-order, Musheer is more than capable of bowling some vital left-arm spin. It will be intriguing to see how the PBKS management utilize him.
5. Swastik Chikara (19 years, 238 days) (Swastik Chikara)
Swastik Chikara. (Source:X/Twitter)
Swastik Chikara was bought by RCB for his base price of INR 30 lakh. He was bought by DC ahead of IPL 2024, but did not make the cut throughout the tournament. The opening batter has all the ability to strike the ball a long way.
This exact attribute of his was seen in abundant quantity at the the UP T20 League this year. He emerged as the leading run-getter of the competition with 499 runs under his belt. He is also a part-time off-spinner.
4. Allah Ghazanfar (18 years, 240 days) (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai Indians entered the bidding process and acquired the services of right-arm off-break, Allah Ghazanfar. The bids were coming thick and fast by his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, before MI entered the race and finally pipped them. He did not feature in any of KKR’s games last year.
The 18-year-old has already played eight ODIs for Afghanistan. His unique style of giving the ball a good rip can be leveraged effectively against left-hand dominant squads. In the 16 T20s he has played up until November 30, 2024, he has been frugal in terms of economy rate (5.71).
3. Kwena Maphaka (18 years, 231 days) (Rajasthan Royals)
Kwena Maphaka was snapped by Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.5 crore. The up-and-coming talent was a part of Mumbai Indians in the previous edition. However, he did not fare well, and ended up playing only two matches.
In his nascent T20 career, Maphaka has done well for Paarl Royals. With sufficient hardwork and practice, he has all the potential of making it big at the grand stage. Maphaka’s most-effective delivery is the one he pitches on the back-of-a-length.
2. C Andre Siddarth (18 years, 89 days) (Chennai Super Kings)
Tamil Nadu’s C Andre Siddarthwas purchased by Chennai Super Kings at his base price of INR 30 lakh. The IPL will be the second T20 competition Siddarth will be a part of. He has already had a taste of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) during the 2024 edition.
His domestic red-ball career has got off to a promising start. In the six innings he has played for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy, Siddarth has recorded a staggering 372 runs at a whopping average of 93. The Chennai local will already be having a familiarity of the conditions at Chepauk, and could be very well be expected to get a chance to feature for CSK.
1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (13 years, 243 days) (Rajasthan Royals)
After a vigorous bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi was bagged by the latter for a whoppping INR 1.10 crore. As a result, he became the youngest player to be purchased at an IPL auction. Earlier this year, he made his First Class debut in the Ranji Trophy for Bihar.
The southpaw has also played a couple of Youth Tests for India Under-19s. The Tests, although unofficial in nature, officially marked Suryavanshi’s presence out in the open after he battered his way to a stunning century in the first game. Suryavanshi, who idolises legendary Brian Charles Lara, will be expected to learn a lot under the guidance of the veteran duo of Rahul Dravid and Kumar Sangakkara.