New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction set new benchmarks in the history of the cash-rich league as too many players pocketed crores of rupees from the ten franchises that bid for them in the two-day event. While some players were surely worth their price, there remains a set of players including those players, who, despite a poor show in the past seasons, bagged lucrative deals for the 2025 IPL season.
A whopping amount of Rs. 639.15 crore was spent on 182 players at the mega auction, making it the highest amount of money spent in an auction in the history of the tournament. Shreyas Iyer turned out to be the second top buy during the auction and even momentarily became the most expensive IPL player in history. He was picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a massive Rs. 26.75 crore but is he worth this price?
A look at some of these players who bagged lucrative deals despite poor IPL shows –
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer debuted in the IPL in the 2015 season with Delhi Capitals (DC) and remained a part of them till the 2021 season. He was picked by KKR ahead of IPL 2022 for a sum of Rs. 12.25 crore and led them to title triumph in 2024. He was shockingly released by the franchise ahead of the 2025 mega auction and was picked by PBKS for Rs. 26.75 crore as they sought a captain. In 115 IPL games, Iyer averages 32.34 with a strike rate of 127.48.
Harry Brook
Ahead of IPL 2023, Harry Brook was picked for the first time in the league, by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a price of Rs. 13.25 crore. He debuted in the tournament with them and opted out of the 2024 season. He entered the IPL 2025 auction and was picked by Delhi Capitals (DC) for Rs. 6.25 crore. Having played 11 matches so far in the IPL, Brook averages 21.11 with a strike rate of 123.38.
Nehal Wadhera
Wadhera was a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) for the last two IPL seasons, having been picked by them ahead of the IPL 2023 for a price of Rs. 20 lakh. He debuted in the league that season and continued to be a part of the franchise for the next season. He did play some good knocks but after 20 IPL games, he averages 23.33 with a strike rate of 140. He has now become a part of the PBKS family for Rs. 4.2 crore.
Rahul Tripathi
Tripathi has played for four IPL franchises in the past – debuting with now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was picked by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL 2025 auction for a sum of Rs. 3.40 crore. Although being a versatile batter, he only averages 27.27 and his strike rate is 139.31 after playing 95 IPL games.
Abhinav Manohar
Manohar debuted in the IPL in 2022 with the new franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) and was a part of them until the 2024 season. He was released ahead of the mega auction and went up for bidding, getting picked by SRH for a price of Rs. 3.2 crore. The pinch hitter hasn’t lived up to the expectations as he averages only 16.5 with a strike rate of 132.76 in 19 IPL matches.
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