The second day of the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah witnessed a surprising outcome as seasoned Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane remained unsold. Despite his vast experience and previous contributions in the Indian Premier League, the franchises decided against bidding for the veteran cricketer.
Rahane’s IPL legacy
Ajinkya Rahane has been a stalwart in the IPL, known for his elegant stroke play and ability to anchor innings. With over 4,000 runs in his IPL career, Rahane has been a reliable top-order batter and has represented franchises such as Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings. His standout seasons include multiple 400-plus run campaigns and his role in leading Rajasthan Royals during critical phases.
A surprising omission
Given his experience and composure, many expected Rahane to attract interest from teams needing stability in their batting line-up. However, the evolving dynamics of T20 cricket and the preference for power hitters may have influenced the decision to overlook Rahane.
Day 2 trends
The second day of the auction kicked off with some big names, including Rahane, going unsold, marking a contrast to the fierce bidding wars of Day 1, which saw record-breaking deals for players like Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore to LSG) and Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore to PBKS).
