The IPL 2025 mega auction is round the corner. All the ten franchises have announced their retention list and it is time for the remaining to come in the auction pool and go under the hammer. Teams were only able to retain a part of their core and they will still need to make some big signings to complete them and then make fringe additions so they can have a squad competitive enough for the tournament. Some teams had to let go some big players due to the compliance of the retention rules and this will make things more interesting. There will be some heavy bidding for them, specially for the skillets that are in demand but are rare in terms of supply. IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Date, Time, Retained Players, Remaining Purse for Each Franchise, Live Streaming Details and All You Need To Know.

One of such categories is the wicketkeeper-batter category. While some teams were able to retain their wicketkeeper-batters, some couldn't and that will make them a sureshot customer when the set comes up for the auction. The likes of Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings have options in their retained players for the wicketkeeper-batter category. It is unlikely that they will make a big move for the wicketkeeper-batters. While all others will be looking to secure the required skillset as early in the auction as possible. Here are the five wicketkeeper-batters who could attract big bids in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Rishabh Pant

The star Indian wicketkeeper-batter is a probable candidate to not only be the highest earning cricketer in the wicketkeeper-batter category but also the entire IPL 2025 mega auction. There are several franchise who are eying Pant to be their captain and as well as add more dimensions to their batting and wicket-keeping department. Given how much he is a matchwinner himself , the wicketkeeping skills of his are just an additional dimension the buyer will be benefited from. That is why he is likely to get the highest bid from the wicketkeeper-batter set.

KL Rahul

Not in the best of forms lately but KL Rahul is also another person who is in demand for the multiple dimensions he offers as a cricketer. Well-known as a calm-headed captain, skilled top-order batter, Rahul is also a very efficient wicketkeeper. A team will want to tick all three boxes together by securing his services just like in the case of Rishabh Pant. If given the best of mental space to thrive, Rahul can be a solid edition and it can be anticipated that a handful of franchises will think that and bid highly for him.

Ishan Kishan

After 2022, Ishan Kishan is once against released in the auction pool by Mumbai Indians. Last time, they went hard for him to secure his services for a whooping sum of money. This time, the fight is going to be tougher. There are several franchises who will look at the skillset of Ishan that they want to add in their ranks. Being a left-handed, Ishan offers fearless mindset and also his wicketkeeping skills. That is going to be an attractive package for a number of franchises.

Jos Buttler

First time since 2018, Jos Buttler is back in the auction pool. Rajasthan Royals have decided to not to retain him and released him in the auction pool. Even in 2024, Jos Buttler has won matches for RR and is an outright matchwinner with the bat in hand. The fact he can don the gloves and also is leading England in white-ball cricket for last two years makes him a very interesting prospect in the auction pool. Buttler brings plethora of experience along with his skills and will definitely attracts high bids from the franchise. IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Three Nepal Cricketers Who Should Have Made it to List of Registered Players For Indian Premier League Bidding Event.

Phil Salt

Part of the IPL champion team of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, Phil Salt has emerged to be one of the top T20I cricketers of the world right now. His uninhibited intent up top of the order shifts momentum instantly to his team and then the opposition keeps playing catch up. Salt has been the wicketkeeper for KKR last season and he competently kept against the likes of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy. There will be definitely franchises who will want to sign him up as a mainstay of their team.

Sometimes the purse remaining for franchises, their entire squad planning and the order in which the players come play a big role in deciding the price for the players. But it is in no doubt that the way the mega auction has build up, the wicketkeeper-batters will be some of the big purchases of the entire IPL 2025 mega auction. The IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled to be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 24 to 25.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2024 10:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).