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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to create waves in the cricketing world as it takes place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. With franchises keen to bolster their squads, the event promises intense bidding wars, especially for high-demand players.
Wicketkeeper-batters, known for their dual utility, are likely to be the centerpiece of the action, following the trend of hefty price tags in recent years. The retention of stars like Heinrich Klaasen (INR 23 crore), Nicholas Pooran (INR 21 crore), and Sanju Samson (INR 18 crore) underscores the value franchises place on versatile keepers.
Robin Uthappa predicts top wicketkeepers at the auction
Former India batter Robin Uthappa, during a discussion on Star Sports, weighed in on the auction buzz, naming which wicketkeepers are going to create a bidding war amongst the franchises. Uthappa identified Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Jos Buttler, Quinton de Kock, and Phil Salt as the top-five wicketkeepers likely to fetch record-breaking bids.
Uthappa specifically highlighted Pant as the frontrunner to become the highest-paid player, estimating his price to land between INR 25-28 crore.
“How much? I would say between 25 and 28 crores. I think he (Pant) will get the big bucks. He will be the highest-paid player, in my opinion, in this auction, and I think he should be. I am excited for him and I really want him to be the highest-paid player. I think he will augur the kind of price from a couple of teams for sure,” Uthappa said on Star Sports.
Uthappa also commented on Rahul, suggesting franchises like RCB, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans could express interest in the former Lucknow Super Giants skipper.
“I think RCB could be a massive contender for KL Rahul. Punjab, I don’t think he will probably go back there. Perhaps someone like Delhi could be interested. Even GT could be interested. I am not quite sure about CSK because you have already got a captain. He has been a leader before, so he will perhaps look forward to a role like that,” added Uthappa.
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Rishabh Pant’s record in Test cricket on Australian soil
Wicketkeepers expected to be hot property
Wicketkeeper-batters have always been a valuable asset in the IPL, but the 2025 auction could see this trend soar to unprecedented heights. Uthappa’s predictions reflect this sentiment, as he emphasized the potential of big-money bids for players who combine clean glove work with explosive batting abilities.
Aakash Chopra, another prominent cricket analyst, recently predicted that Kishan could fetch between INR 16-18 crore in the auction, though Uthappa expressed surprise at such an estimate, and reckoned If Kishan does go for that much, the franchises are going on potential, not performance.
“I will be very surprised if Ishan goes for 16 to 18 crores. If he does go for that much, they are going on potential. You wouldn’t say they are going on performance and someone will have to really work with him. I really think if Ishan can get his batting together, he deserves that much,” Uthappa added further.
