"Rishabh Pant could be the most expensive player in IPL history" - Aakash Chopra on Indian players with ₹2 crore base price in IPL 2025 auction
Aakash Chopra reckons Rishabh Pant could become the most expensive player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history. He opined that the wicketkeeper-batter could be bought for more than ₹25 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, as multiple franchises will likely go after him.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) recently confirmed that the mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Pant could draw a lot of interest, especially after his fighting performances in the recently concluded Test series between India and New Zealand.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the cricketer-turned-commentator reflected on the Indian players who have set their base price at ₹2 crore and opined that Pant could be sold for a massive sum.
"The big thing is who all have kept themselves in the ₹2 crore bracket. A lot of Indian players, which includes KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Rishabh Pant could be the most expensive player in IPL history. He can go above 25-26 crores," he said (2:50).
Chopra noted that a few franchises, especially the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), might be willing to spend exorbitant amounts to acquire his services.
"I can see at least three teams going absolutely hammer and tongs. One (PBKS) has 110 crores and another (RCB) has 83 crores. I feel a lot of money will be spent when they fight amongst themselves," he observed.
Chopra also opined that the franchises might show a lot of interest in Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, he named KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as the other two likely most expensive players.
"You can see it from two angles" - Aakash Chopra on players putting their base price at ₹2 crore
![Devdutt Padikkal is among the players who have put their base price at ₹2 crore. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/0a033-17309514722455-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that players have put a base price of ₹2 crore based on their assumed worth.
"You think what is right or wrong. Let's discuss why the base price is important. You can see it from two angles. One is that my bidding should start from two crores only, or else what is the point because I am worth a lot more, which is actually okay," he said (3:30).
Citing Devdutt Padikkal as a potential example, the former India opener pointed out that a higher base price could prove counterproductive.
"If you see the list, quite a few of them have been sold for double digits. So those people keep their names in the ₹2 crore list. However, there are some players, for example Devdutt Padikkal, I am just taking a name, I am not sure that would happen, there is a possibility that when his name comes for the first time, he goes unsold," Chopra explained.
Chopra named Umesh Yadav as another player who might have put his base price a bit too high.
"This possibility is very bright because people are slightly wary while putting ₹2 crore. They say they would see later as they can pick him afterwards as well. It could be Umesh Yadav as well. However, if they keep it 50 lakhs, the bidding would start. Once it starts and others are interested, your money starts touching the sky," he elaborated.
Chopra noted that either self-respect or ego could be the reason behind a higher base price. While acknowledging that a player could end up being sold for his base price itself, he opined that keeping a lower base price is likely to draw initial attention and potentially a higher remuneration due to multiple interested parties.