Day 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Mega Auction has witnessed some groundbreaking signings, with several high-profile players securing record-breaking deals. The auction has seen intense competition, with teams like Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals making huge investments to sign their captains for massive sums. Alongside these top-tier signings, there have also been a few surprising bids that have raised eyebrows, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. Here’s a look at some of the biggest and most significant signings from the IPL Mega Auction so far.
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)
Rishabh Pant has found his new home with Lucknow Super Giants in a dramatic turn of events at the IPL Mega Auction. While it was widely anticipated that Pant would break records with his auction price, the bidding took a surprising turn. Both Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings were fiercely competing for the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, with LSG showing aggressive interest from the start. Punjab Kings briefly pulled back, but LSG remained relentless, pushing the bid closer to ₹21 crore. At that point, Punjab backed out, and Delhi Capitals, holding the Right to Match (RTM), attempted to match the bid. However, LSG raised the stakes to ₹27 crore, prompting Delhi to withdraw. In a stunning finish, Pant secured the IPL’s record deal, and Lucknow Super Giants seemingly landed their new captain in the process.
Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)
Shreyas Iyer was the key marquee player in the first set of the IPL Mega Auction, and as expected, his value skyrocketed within minutes. Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders all entered into a fierce bidding war for the talented middle-order batsman. KKR pulled out at ₹10 crore, leaving Punjab and Delhi in a head-to-head battle. The bidding soared to an impressive ₹26.75 crore before Delhi decided to pull out. At this point, it was Punjab Kings who made the winning bid, with Kolkata Knights opting not to exercise their Right to Match (RTM). True to their auction strategy, Punjab secured one of the highest bids of the day to land Shreyas Iyer, the IPL-winning captain. For a brief moment, Iyer sat atop the leaderboard as the most expensive player, until Rishabh Pant arrived to claim the throne with his record-breaking deal.
Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Another Iyer who found himself at the center of attention during the IPL Mega Auction was Venkatesh Iyer, who was initially picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders a few years ago and played a key role in leading them to the 2021 IPL Finals. This time, he became the most expensive all-rounder in IPL history, fetching a massive ₹23.75 crore. The surprise was that Kolkata did not retain him initially, yet they went all-in to bring him back into their fold at a significant price. While it could be seen as a potential blunder, given that KKR could have retained him at a lower cost, the franchise showed confidence in his value and went for him fully. The high price tag raised questions, but the owners believed in his ability and justified the bid. Now, it’s up to Venkatesh Iyer to prove his worth and live up to the hefty price tag by continuing his consistent performances, both in the auction and on the field.
Yuzvendra Chahal (Punjab Kings)
Yuzvendra Chahal made history at the IPL Mega Auction by becoming the most expensive spinner in the tournament's history, surpassing the likes of Rashid Khan. The ace leg-spinner was picked up for a massive ₹18 crore, with Punjab Kings once again securing the highest bid. It was a fierce bidding war for Chahal, with several teams joining the fray at different stages. However, it was Punjab Kings who outlasted Rajasthan Royals, securing the highly sought-after spinner for a hefty price, just behind Shreyas Iyer’s record deal. As the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, Yuzi Chahal will now have a new home with Punjab Kings, adding a major weapon to their bowling attack.
Jos Butler (Gujarat Titans)Â
The Only Overseas player in this list the 35 years old will open the batting for Gujarat Titans this season, First of all, it was a Shocker from Rajasthan Royals to retain Shimron Hetymyer ahead of the, But Rajasthan Royals Fought with Gujarat Titans for Buttler but the titans were sure with their decision as they never backed down from the fight with Rajasthan stopped the Bid for the Butler and Just Like that Gujarat Titans have got their Wicket-keeper opener in Jos Buttler as the England Captain will play at Narendra Modi stadium in the Upcoming IPL.
Day 1 of the IPL Mega Auction was filled with excitement and high-stakes bidding wars, with some record-breaking deals and surprising twists. From Rishabh Pant’s monumental move to Lucknow Super Giants to Jos Buttler’s shift to Gujarat Titans, the auction showcased how fiercely franchises are building their squads for the upcoming season. As the dust settles, these big-money signings have set the stage for an action-packed IPL, where expectations will be high for these star players to deliver on their hefty price tags and lead their teams to glory.
