Advertisement
IPL 2025 Auction: 5 Overpriced Players And Their Teams
The IPL 2025 auction saw some controversial buys. This article analyses the top 5 players who might not have been worth their price tag.
Advertisement
The IPL 2025 auction brought two days of intense bidding, with teams fighting hard to secure their favourite players. Some big names like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Arshdeep Singh fetched enormous amounts, while young, uncapped players also made their mark. However, not all purchases made sense. While some players added real value to their teams, a few choices raised eyebrows due to their high prices and questionable performance records.
Advertisement
IPL 2025 Auction: 5 Overpriced Players And Their Teams
Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders: ₹23.75 Crore)
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent an astonishing ₹23.75 crore to bring back Venkatesh Iyer. Although he had a decent IPL 2024 season, scoring 370 runs with an impressive strike rate of 158.79, his bowling contributions were minimal.
Despite being labelled an all-rounder, Iyer hasn’t delivered enough with the ball at either IPL or international levels. His inconsistent international performance—133 runs and five wickets in limited games—makes this purchase a risky one for KKR.
Deepak Hooda (Chennai Super Kings: ₹1.70 Crore)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquired Deepak Hooda for ₹1.70 crore. However, his recent form does not inspire much confidence. Hooda managed only 145 runs across nine innings in IPL 2024 and just 84 runs in IPL 2023, with no wickets to his name in either season.
With CSK already having a strong lineup, it seems unlikely that Hooda will find a place in the playing XI. This makes his inclusion questionable and potentially a waste of resources for the team.
Arjun Tendulkar (Mumbai Indians: ₹30 Lakh)
Arjun Tendulkar was once again picked up by the Mumbai Indians for his base price of ₹30 lakh. While this buy didn’t cost much, it raised questions about his role in the team.
He has played just five IPL matches in his career, taking three wickets at an average of 38 with an economy rate of 9.36. His T20 form has also been underwhelming, and he is unlikely to get significant game time this season. This purchase feels more like a routine decision than a strategic move.
Also Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi Faces Age Controversy After Record IPL 2025 Mega-Auction Deal
Abdul Samad (Lucknow Super Giants: ₹4.50 Crore)
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Abdul Samad for ₹4.50 crore. Though known for his finishing abilities, his overall stats don’t justify the price tag.
Samad scored 182 runs in IPL 2024 at a high strike rate of 168.51, but his low average of 18.20 is concerning. Across 40 IPL innings, he has managed just 577 runs at an average of 19.23. Paying a premium for a player who primarily delivers short bursts rather than consistent performances might not be the best investment for LSG.
Ishan Kishan (Sunrisers Hyderabad: ₹11.25 Crore)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made a surprising decision to sign Ishan Kishan for ₹11.25 crore. Kishan, an opener and wicketkeeper, doesn’t fit into the team’s current structure.
With Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head already forming a strong opening pair, Kishan’s role is unclear. Heinrich Klaasen is another solid wicketkeeper-batter in the squad, making Kishan’s inclusion redundant. His performance last season (320 runs at a strike rate of 148.83) was decent but inconsistent enough to justify the hefty price.
Advertisement