“I want to play cricket again whether I get picked up or not is a different matter” – James Anderson’s blunt take on taking part in IPL 2025 auction
Former England pacer James Anderson has shared that he is keen to play IPL 2025 after registering for the mega auction, scheduled to take place later this month. The 42-year-old claimed he has a lot to offer in whichever capacity possible.
Anderson believes he is fit enough to bowl those four overs in the T20 league. The legendary fast bowler, who has registered himself for ₹1.25 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, told Sky Sports:
"The whole point of going in the auction, I think, I want to play cricket again. Whether I get picked up or not is a different matter. There's definitely a feeling inside of me that I've got more to offer, in some shape or form. So, however long down the line that might be, in whatever capacity that might be I'm not sure yet.
"But I'm really keen to play. I feel really fit, I've been bowling still, ticking over, so I feel like I'm in a good place and I'd love to have an opportunity to play somewhere," he added.
Earlier this year, James Anderson retired among the leading wicket-takers in Tests with 704 scalps. The Lancashire player immediately joined the England Test team as their mentor.
“Nothing yet” – James Anderson on whether he is approached by an IPL franchise
James Anderson also clarified that he is yet to be approached by any IPL franchise. The speedster said in the same interaction:
"Nothing yet. We'll just have to wait and see, keep my fingers crossed and see what happens."
James Anderson could be picked by five-time champions Chennai Super Kings as player-cum-bowling coach. Dwayne Bravo, who held the role, has left the franchise to join reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders as their new mentor after Gautam Gambhir took India’s head coach role.
A total of 204 slots are up for grabs among 10 franchises for IPL 2025. This is because each club can have a maximum of 25 players with 46 already retained by the different franchises.
Every team has a total of ₹120 crore purse. Punjab Kings (PBKS) will enter the auction with the highest purse after retaining only two players.