Shreyas Iyer made headlines at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured him for a staggering ₹26.75 crore. The deal briefly made him the second-most expensive player in IPL history until Rishabh Pant was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹27 crore just moments later.
The auction saw an intense bidding war for the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, with Punjab Kings outbidding Delhi Capitals (DC) to acquire the stylish batter. Iyer’s consistent performances and IPL-winning leadership in 2024 boosted his value. In 115 IPL matches, Iyer has scored 3,127 runs at an average of 32.24, with 21 half-centuries, making him one of the most dependable players in the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer Becomes the second-most expensive player in IPL history moments before Rishabh Pant breaks the record
Speaking about Iyer’s signing, PBKS representatives expressed their confidence in his ability to bolster the team’s top order. The Indian batter also enters the auction on the back of excellent form, including a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
In another major move, PBKS retained their star pacer Arshdeep Singh for ₹18 crore using the Right to Match (RTM) card, outbidding Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Elsewhere, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was acquired by Delhi Capitals for ₹11.75 crore, marking another marquee signing.
The IPL 2025 auction featured 81 players in the ₹2 crore base price bracket, with seven marquee Indian players attracting big bids. Shreyas Iyer’s record-breaking deal highlights his growing stature as a top-order batter and leader in the shortest format.
