Aakash Chopra picks 5 likely most expensive all-rounders in IPL 2025 auction, includes only 1 Indian
Former India player Aakash Chopra has picked five likely most expensive all-rounders in the IPL 2025 auction. Washington Sundar was the only Indian to make his list.
The IPL 2025 auction is set to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are among the all-rounders already retained by their respective franchises.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that Sam Curran will be among the most expensive all-rounders despite potentially taking a massive pay cut.
"At No. 5, I have got Sam Curran. He was at ₹18.50 crore and has finally been released. They might buy him back but he will have to take a pay cut. It could be more than 50 percent but still he will be expensive because Sam Curran brings two things to the table, his bowling and batting," he said (5:05).
Chopra reckoned Sundar might attract huge bids at the auction as well.
"I have kept an Indian at No. 4, that's Washington Sundar. I feel he is not being used properly. He can bowl with the new ball and in the middle and can bat well. Now when he comes into the auction, there will be more than a few takers. Many teams will want him to come with them. He might once again take eight or nine crores," he observed.
The former Kolkata Knight Riders player feels Glenn Maxwell might once again be a prized acquisition.
"At No. 3, I have got Glenn Maxwell. His reputation is incredible. It seems like he wins every second match. By the way, he doesn't win that many and his performances are extremely volatile, either at the top or the bottom. He remains a lot at the bottom but when he is at the top, he can give jaw-dropping performances," Chopra reasoned.
Chopra pointed out that Maxwell is bound to have a good auction due to the presence of two or three Australian coaches at the auction table. He named the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Capitals among the teams that might be interested in acquiring his services.
"RCB could also use the RTM card for him" - Aakash Chopra on Will Jacks
![Will Jacks was released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/a91a8-17320780264923-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that many teams will be keen to acquire Will Jacks, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru potentially reacquiring him through the Right To Match card.
"After that, I am coming towards Will Jacks. He is not a jack of all trades, he is a master. He plays extremely well, scored a century last year, and bowls off-spin. RCB could also use the RTM card for him. Many teams will be interested in him. I will say you must take him," he said (8:55).
The cricketer-turned-commentator chose Marcus Stoinis as the likely most expensive all-rounder at the IPL 2025 auction.
"Last but not the least, I have kept Marcus Stoinis at No. 1. Why will he be expensive? He recently hit a ball that went out of the stadium (in the final T20I between Australia and Pakistan). If you see his numbers in the last IPL, he has done well. Lucknow could have used him better as a bowler but he is a game-changer in batting," Chopra reasoned.
Chopra named the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders among the franchises that might be interested in Stoinis. He added that the Lucknow Super Giants might reacquire the Aussie all-rounder using the Right To Match card.