The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is set to take place on November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The franchises have retained a total of 46 players, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals utilizing their full quota of six retentions. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have retained only two players, and enter into the auction with the highest purse of INR 110.5 crore.
Apart from the usual suspects, this auction will serve as a critical one for the franchises, as they pick players for the next three-year cycle. Hence, they are expected to purchase those players, who they deem are expected to represent them until the 2027 edition. With 10 different franchises come as many different minds and strategies, which are bound to surprise the cricket fraternity and fans.
On that note, let’s take a look at five players who can trigger interest from the franchises in the IPL 2025 auction.
#1 Rishi Dhawan
Rishi Dhawan has been a consistent performer across all formats in domestic cricket in the last few years. So far, Dhawan has turned out to be the finest player for Himachal Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, with 397 runs and 11 wickets in five games. He produced his best-ever knock of 195 against Andhra, which has gone unnoticed.
However, he likely to gain interest from a few franchises on D-day. In 128 T20s, Dhawan has garnered 1,651 runs and picked up 116 wickets.
#2 Marco Jansen
The Proteas all-rounder recently garnered interest from the fans due to his sensational knock of 54 off 17 balls in a T20I game against India. While bowling the first over of the game, he breached defenses of Sanju Samson in the 2nd and 3rd T20I, showcasing his ability to bowl with the new ball.
In 86 T20s, Jansen has scalped 93 wickets and scored over 700 runs. The franchise looking for a lower-order hitter and a new-ball pacer could bid for him.
#3 Karn Sharma
The veteran spinner has been part of the cash-rich league from every season since 2013, barring 2022. In 84 games, Karn Sharma has bagged 76 wickets at an economy of 8.37. In the last season, he picked up seven wickets in nine games at an economy of 10.58, and was released from the franchise.
However, Sharma has scalped 17 wickets so far in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. Although, it is a different ball game, his wicket-taking form has been on notice in the tournament. Moreover, the southpaw can be a crucial contributor in the lower-order, as he has scored 1,500 runs in the shortest format.
#4 Jacob Bethell
Touted as England’s future superstar, Jacob Bethell has impressed with his ball-striking abilities early on his international career. Bethell has scored 173 runs in seven T20Is at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 167.96, with a top score of 62* off 32 against West Indies.
Bethell has 909 runs in 52 T20Is at a strike rate of 142.47, with impressive performances in 2024 editions of T20 Blast and The Hundred.
#5 Spencer Johnson
The left-arm pacer recently grabbed headlines by picking a fifer against Pakistan to help Australia register a terrific victory. He finished the series with eight scalps and was named Player of the Series.
Johnson has picked up 71 wickets in 60 T20s at an economy of 7.29. Last season, he played for Gujarat Titans and picked four wickets in five games. The franchise looking for a left-arm seamer can certainly take an interest in securing his services.
