First Italian Player Enters IPL 2025 Auction

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Record Registrations and Exciting New Faces

The IPL 2025 mega auction, set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is creating a buzz with a record-breaking 1,574 registrations from players across 17 countries. Among the entrants, 409 are international players, with 48 of them being Indian cricketers who have previously featured in the IPL. The auction promises to be an exciting one, with major Indian stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul expected to spark intense bidding wars. Adding an unexpected twist to the mix, Italy’s Thomas Jack Draca is set to make history as the first player from his country to enter the IPL auction.

Draca, a 24-year-old medium pacer, has made a name for himself in international T20 cricket, having played four T20Is for Italy and taken eight wickets. He made his debut in June 2024 during the ICC T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier against Luxembourg. Draca further gained recognition in 2024 playing for the Brampton Wolves in Canada’s Global T20 league, where he claimed 11 wickets in just six matches. Recently signed by MI Emirates, an affiliate of the Mumbai Indians, Draca could attract significant attention from IPL franchises looking to strengthen their bowling attack.

International players make up a large portion of this year’s auction pool, with South Africa leading the way with 91 players, followed by Australia with 76 entrants. Big names like Mitchell Starc, who was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a record Rs 24.75 crore last season, have set high base prices, with Starc starting at Rs 2 crore. Australian stalwarts like Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, and David Warner are also expected to generate significant interest.

England, too, has 52 players in the mix, though one notable absentee is Test captain Ben Stokes, who has opted out of the auction to focus on preparing for England’s upcoming series. However, in a surprising move, veteran pacer James Anderson, who last played T20 cricket in 2014, has entered the fray with a base price of Rs 1.25 crore.

With just days to go until the auction, the IPL 2025 is shaping up to be an electrifying event, as players from all over the world vie for a spot in the league. The diversity and global appeal of the IPL continue to make it the world’s most lucrative and competitive cricket tournament. As teams prepare to bid, fans can expect a thrilling auction filled with surprises and high-stakes battles for the biggest names in world cricket.