The IPL 2025 mega auction kicked off with a bang in Jeddah on Sunday, as Indian players dominated the bidding war. A total of 84 players went under the hammer, but it was Indian talent that stole the spotlight, with three players securing deals worth over Rs 20 crore.

Leading the charge was Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who made history by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history. The 27-year-old left-handed batter was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering Rs 27 crore, surpassing the previous record set by Shreyas Iyer just moments earlier. Iyer, the former Delhi Capitals star, fetched Rs 26.75 crore, joining Pant in the list of the two highest-paid players in IPL history.

Pant and Iyer were part of the marquee Set 1 players, and despite Iyer being picked first, Pant’s record-breaking deal underscored the immense demand for top-tier Indian talent in the league.

Adding to the excitement, Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer also secured a massive deal, rejoining Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 23.75 crore after a fierce bidding battle with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Punjab Kings, which entered the auction with a purse of Rs 110.50 crore, made their mark by signing Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for Rs 18 crore each.

This ensured that all of the top five picks on Day 1 were Indian players, a trend that surprised some fans but was in line with past mega auction patterns.

Historically, Indian players have dominated IPL mega auctions. In the 2022 auction, for example, the top three highest-paid players were all Indian, with Ishan Kishan securing Rs 15.25 crore and Deepak Chahar fetching Rs 14 crore. The same trend was observed in the 2018 auction, when Indian players filled the top spots alongside England’s Ben Stokes, highlighting the league’s preference for homegrown talent in its rebuilding phases.

Overseas players, while securing significant paydays in mini auctions, have not been able to match the bidding frenzy that Indian players generate during mega auctions. The reason lies in the sheer number of quality Indian players available, whereas overseas stars tend to make themselves available for only short stints, limiting the pool of competition.