Despite a highly successful stint with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will not be part of their 2025 IPL mega auction lineup. Chahal joined RR in 2022 and delivered consistently impressive performances across three seasons.
In his debut season with the Royals, Chahal set a record by taking 27 wickets in 17 matches. He continued his form in 2023, picking up 21 wickets. While he took 18 wickets in 2024, his economy rate rose to 9.41, which could have factored into the team’s decision to release him.
The experienced spinner has also faced limited game time with Team India, despite being part of the T20 World Cup squad in 2022 and 2024. The emergence of younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel could be another reason the Royals opted to move on.
Chahal’s reputation and experience make him a beautiful player in the IPL, especially as he is currently the highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 205 dismissals. Here’s a look at three franchises that might bid big on Chahal at the upcoming auction:
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Yuzvendra Chahal’s release from RCB ahead of the 2022 season raised eyebrows, as he had been one of their most reliable bowlers. Having played many seasons at the high-scoring M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Chahal is well-versed in its conditions and has built valuable connections with the team’s core players. His familiarity with RCB and the Bengaluru pitch could prompt the franchise to bring him back for another spell.
2. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Interestingly, Yuzvendra Chahal’s IPL journey began with the Mumbai Indians in 2013, though he didn’t get much game time there. Since then, MI has struggled with their spin options, especially over the past three seasons. As five-time champions looking to regain their winning touch, MI might see Chahal as the ideal spinner to control the game’s middle overs by slowing down runs and taking key wickets.
3. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
The Punjab Kings have long struggled to find balance, despite promising auction buys. With only Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh retained, PBKS will be rebuilding their team almost from scratch. Lacking a dominant spinner since Ravi Bishnoi’s departure, Punjab could aim to secure Chahal as their lead bowler in the spin department, helping the team finally break their playoff drought.
Chahal’s skills and IPL record make him a valuable asset, and he could attract strong bids from multiple franchises in the 2025 auction. Fans will be eager to see which team ultimately wins this star spinner.
Read More
Also Read: IPL 2025 Retention: Surprising Picks And Missed Opportunities
