The IPL 2025 Mega Auction has seen franchises make key moves to bolster their squads. With a mix of retained players, newcomers, and strategic buys, each team has been crafting their ideal lineup for the upcoming season. In this article, we take a deep dive into how the squads have shaped up at the conclusion of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, and key players for each team.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sticking to the Core
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 20
- Indian Players: 13
- Overseas Players: 7
- Retained Players: Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy
- Key Auction Signings: Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar
How They Fared
Sunrisers Hyderabad has focused on keeping their squad’s core intact, retaining players that helped them reach the IPL 2024 final. The addition of experienced players like Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel strengthens their bowling attack, filling the gaps left by the departure of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T. Natarajan. The inclusion of Ishan Kishan brings more firepower to their batting lineup, complementing players like Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen. Their squad is now a blend of experience and youth, making them a strong contender for IPL 2025.
Lucknow Super Giants: A Busy Auction Day
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 24
- Indian Players: 18
- Overseas Players: 6
- Retained Players: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni
- Key Auction Signings: Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan
How They Fared
Lucknow Super Giants made headlines by securing Rishabh Pant as the most expensive buy of the auction. Despite a crowded middle-order, they were able to fill some key gaps, especially in the pace bowling department, with signings like Avesh Khan and Mitchell Marsh. However, their opening options remain a concern, as they may have to rely on Aiden Markram or Mitchell Marsh in the opening slot. Their strong Indian pace attack and depth in the middle order make them a team to watch, but their lack of a proven second frontline spinner could be a weak spot.
Mumbai Indians: Filling Gaps with Big Buys
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 23
- Indian Players: 15
- Overseas Players: 8
- Retained Players: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma
- Key Auction Signings: Trent Boult, Josh Hazlewood, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar
How They Fared
Mumbai Indians made some strong purchases, especially in the fast bowling department with Trent Boult, Josh Hazlewood, and Deepak Chahar. They also added depth to their spin attack with Mitchell Santner. However, the team is still figuring out their ideal combination, particularly in the wicketkeeper-batter role, where options like Ryan Rickelton and Robin Minz are up for selection. Their strong Indian core offers a lot of flexibility, and the addition of overseas players like Boult and Hazlewood makes them a balanced team.
Gujarat Titans: A Balanced Approach
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 25
- Indian Players: 18
- Overseas Players: 7
- Retained Players: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan
- Key Auction Signings: Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Siraj, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar
How They Fared
Gujarat Titans had a solid auction, strengthening their squad with quality players. Jos Buttler’s signing adds depth to their batting, while Kagiso Rabada and Mohammad Siraj bolster their pace attack. The team also picked up Washington Sundar, providing them with a quality spinner. With a balanced squad, Gujarat Titans are well-equipped to challenge for the title, although their reliance on young Indian talent in the middle order may be a risk.
Rajasthan Royals: A Quiet but Effective Auction
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 20
- Indian Players: 14
- Overseas Players: 6
- Retained Players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma
- Key Auction Signings: Jofra Archer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Nitish Rana
How They Fared
Rajasthan Royals had a quieter auction, with a focus on retaining key players and making strategic additions. Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga are quality signings, adding strength to both their pace and spin departments. However, their lack of depth in batting could be a concern, especially if any of their top-order players get injured. Despite this, they have created a squad with flexibility, allowing them to adapt to different conditions and opposition.
Chennai Super Kings: Reinventing for Continuity
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 25
- Indian Players: 18
- Overseas Players: 7
- Retained Players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni
- Key Auction Signings: Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sam Curran, Rahul Tripathi, Khaleel Ahmed
How They Fared
Chennai Super Kings focused on continuity, bringing back key players from previous seasons. Their biggest purchase was Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad, a left-arm wrist spinner who can provide attacking options in the middle overs. They also strengthened their bowling attack with Sam Curran and Khaleel Ahmed. CSK’s strategy of reinforcing their core while adding depth to their squad makes them a formidable side, with strong Indian and overseas players in the mix.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rebuilding for Success
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 22
- Indian Players: 14
- Overseas Players: 8
- Retained Players: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal
- Key Auction Signings: Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Tim David
How They Fared
Royal Challengers Bangalore had a significant rebuild, retaining only three core Indian players and filling the rest of their squad with a mix of experience and youth. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar provide quality pace options, while Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt bring depth to the middle order. However, RCB may face challenges in finding the right balance, particularly with their overseas players, and might need to avoid constant tinkering with their lineup.
Delhi Capitals: A Solid All-Rounder Squad
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 23
- Indian Players: 16
- Overseas Players: 7
- Retained Players: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel
- Key Auction Signings: Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul, Harry Brook, Jake Fraser-McGurk, T Natarajan
How They Fared
Delhi Capitals have built a well-rounded squad with a good mix of youth and experience. They bolstered their batting with the signings of KL Rahul and Harry Brook, while also strengthening their bowling attack with Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan. The team has depth in both departments, but may need to work on their spinner backups, with Kuldeep Yadav as their main option.
Kolkata Knight Riders: A Squad with Potential
Squad Overview
- Total Players: 21
- Indian Players: 13
- Overseas Players: 8
- Retained Players: Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh
- Key Auction Signings: Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Anrich Nortje, Moeen Ali
How They Fared
Kolkata Knight Riders have created a squad full of potential, with the inclusion of Venkatesh Iyer and Quinton de Kock adding versatility to their batting lineup. With an experienced spin duo in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, and quality pace options like Anrich Nortje, they are well-balanced. However, their batting depth may require some fine-tuning, and they need to make sure they avoid being overly reliant on individual performances.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, these teams will be eager to hit the ground running. Each franchise has made strategic moves to address gaps, strengthen weaknesses, and build on the strengths that have seen them achieve success in previous seasons. With the auction now behind us, the focus will shift to team combinations, fitness, and match strategies as the season unfolds.