Aakash Chopra picks the 5 likely most expensive batters in IPL 2025 auction, keeps Shreyas Iyer at No. 1
Aakash Chopra has picked five likely most expensive batters in the IPL 2025 auction. While restricting his choices to pure batters, he opined that Shreyas Iyer could earn the highest among them.
The IPL 2025 auction is set to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. While the Punjab Kings (₹110.50 crore) have the highest available budget, the Rajasthan Royals (₹41 crore) have the least remaining purse.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener chose Nitish Rana at No. 5.
"I have kept Nitish Rana at No. 5. It was a viable choice for KKR to retain him but he wasn't. Every team apart from Mumbai needs Indian players. Maybe Rajasthan is in a decent position. Everyone needs Indian batters. So Nitish Rana's value increases. He has been playing for a long time, has been KKR's captain, and plays decently," he said (5:10).
Chopra reckons Devon Conway could be the fourth most expensive batter.
"Devon Conway at No. 4. I understand he is also in the wicketkeeper's category but no one sees him as a wicketkeeper. Everyone considers him a batter. I feel Chennai might want to use the Right to Match card for Conway. It could be Devon Conway/David Miller (at No. 4). I feel Conway should probably get more money between him and David Miller," he observed.
The former Kolkata Knight Riders player opined that Venkatesh Iyer might be the third-highest-earning batter.
"At No. 3, I have got Venkatesh Iyer. He could be at No. 4 and Conway might be at No. 3. His last year was very good. It would have been very difficult for KKR to release him as well. He opens and can play at No. 3 as well. He plays very well on good pitches," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra added that Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Lucknow Super Giants might be interested in Venkatesh.
He added that the Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans might not be keen to acquire the left-handed batter. He reasoned that the slow pitch in Jaipur and the potential seam movement under lights in Ahmedabad might not suit his batting.
"Delhi would have wanted him to stay back" - Aakash Chopra on Jake Fraser-McGurk
![The Delhi Capitals did not retain Jake Fraser-McGurk ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/ef1a9-17319887097933-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra picked Jake Fraser-McGurk as the likely most expensive overseas batter at the auction, highlighting that the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings might be the most interested in acquiring the Aussie.
"At No. 2, I have kept Jake Fraser-McGurk. Delhi would have wanted him to stay back. So why didn't he stay? A very important aspect is that the player can say he wants to go. Ricky Ponting used to be here and has gone to Punjab. He has a purse of ₹110 crore. Delhi have the RTM card and Punjab have a lot of money. Both teams will be interested in him," he said (8:25).
The cricketer-turned-commentator concluded by opining that Shreyas Iyer will undoubtedly be the most expensive batter at the auction.
"At No. 1, I don't think there is any doubt in anybody's mind. It has to be Shreyas Iyer. He was the captain of the winning team last time. I don't think he will get ₹20 crore but he will definitely go in double digits because a lot of people will be interested in him," Chopra observed.
Chopra reckons every franchise, apart from the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, might be interested in acquiring the middle-order batter. He added that Shreyas could be the Delhi Capitals' captain in IPL 2025.