The IPL 2025 mega auction created history as Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player ever in the tournament’s history. Starting with a base price of ₹2 crore, the bidding war for the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter began between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
As the auction heated up, Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the fray, pushing the bid higher alongside Lucknow. Eventually, Lucknow took the lead with a staggering ₹20.75 crore bid. However, Delhi Capitals, Pant’s previous team, exercised their Right to Match (RTM) option, momentarily reclaiming their star player.
In a dramatic twist, Lucknow stunned the room by placing a record ₹27 crore bid, surpassing all previous records. Delhi opted not to match this astronomical offer, making Lucknow Super Giants the proud owners of the star Indian cricketer.
Earlier in the day, Shreyas Iyer broke Mitchell Starc’s ₹24.75 crore record from the previous auction, with Punjab Kings signing him for ₹26.75 crore. However, Pant’s ₹27 crore bid soon eclipsed Iyer’s landmark deal, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.
Rishabh Pant’s acquisition reaffirms Lucknow’s commitment to building a powerhouse team. His ability to turn games single-handedly and his leadership potential make this a landmark moment in IPL history, setting new benchmarks in the league’s financial landscape.
