One former player each team must look to buy back in IPL 2025 Auction ft. RCB and Yuzvendra Chahal
The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is slated to be held at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25 and as many as 1574 players have registered their names, showing their eagerness to be part of the cash-rich league.
The 18th season of the IPL promises to be bigger and better than ever. Through all these years, we have seen the level of IPL just go from strength to strength.
The challenge for the bowlers has been evident with the Impact Player rule being introduced a couple of years ago but for fans, it's been fun seeing the boundaries flowing in the majority of the stadiums.
The auction dynamics don't allow a franchise to retain more than six players ahead of the mega auctions but they can certainly buy back some of their previous players who had made an impact for them.
Let us look at one former player each franchise must look to buy back in the 2025 IPL auction:
# 1. Chennai Super Kings- Ravichandran Ashwin
One of the finest off-spinners in world cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin has been in and out of the Indian white ball team in the recent years. However, he is still expected to be picked at a reasonable sum in the auction.
Ashwin represented the Chennai Super Kings from 2008-2015 and became a household name during his tenure with the Yellow Army.
Ashwin was released by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2025 auction which allows CSK to buy him back for what seems to be the last few years for Ashwin at the T20 level. He knows the Chepauk pitch inside out and could be a valuable asset for the five-time champions.
# 2. Kolkata Knight Riders- Trent Boult
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be targeting a certain set of players and left-arm speedster Trent Boult could be on their radar. Not many would remember that Boult was part of the KKR squad back in 2017. He bagged five wickets for them in six games.
Boult’s record with the new ball is something every bowler will be proud of. He has taken wickets in the first over quite regularly and has put the opposition on the backfoot right from the word go. KKR needs someone who can control the new ball and get them early wickets and Boult could be a perfect choice in this regard.
# 3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru- Yuzvendra Chahal
It was a strange move from the Rajasthan Royals to release Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the 2025 auction. The leg spinner bagged 66 wickets in just three seasons for the franchise and was instrumental in taking them to the final in 2022.
Chahal had a staggering record for the Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) when he was released by the franchise ahead of the 2022 auction. Former RCB stalwart AB de Villiers recently quipped that RCB should buy back Chahal and should have never let him go in the first place.
He is familiar with conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Over the years, most of the wrist spinners have struggled to find their rhythm in Chinnaswamy given the small ground dimensions but Chahal has bagged 52 wickets in 42 matches in this stadium at an average of 21.6 at an economy rate of 7.7.
#. 4 Rajasthan Royals- David Miller
One of the most brutal strikers of the ball in world cricket, David Miller will be a hot property in the upcoming IPL auction. Miller was released by the Gujarat Titans but given his exploits, especially late in the order, he could end up fetching a massive sum.
Miller was released by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2022 IPL and was snapped up by the Titans. The swashbuckling southpaw smashed 481 runs in 16 matches in 2022. Miller could be on the radar for the Rajasthan Royal as they need a finisher who can smash any bowling attack on his day.
#.5. Delhi Capitals- Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel has been part of several franchises in the IPL and despite not being a regular at any team, he continues to fetch massive sums in the auction. Harshal was part of the Delhi Capitals squad from 2018 to 2020 before he was traded to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the 2021 season.
Harshal holds the record for most wickets in a single season when he bagged 32 wickets for RCB back in 2021. His dipping slower deliveries and ability to trouble the opposition batters with different varieties of slower deliveries will make him a potent option for the Delhi Capitals.
# 6. Sunrisers Hyderabad- Romario Shepherd
The brand of cricket that SRH played in 2024 should be an indication that they want to buy some powerful strikers of the ball who don't shy away from playing the big shots right from the word go. Romario Shepherd could be among the potential options SRH are looking at ahead of the 2025 auction.
Shepherd has developed into a terrific death-over bowler in the last couple of years and can smash some of the biggest sixes. His IPL numbers are far from impressive but SunRisers might just allow him to express himself in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league.
# 7. Punjab Kings- KL Rahul
One of the most classy batters going around, KL Rahul will be in demand in the upcoming auction. He decided to part ways with the Lucknow Supergiants ahead of the IPL auction. Rahul had represented the Punjab Kings from 2018-2021. The franchise wanted to retain him ahead of the 2022 auction.
However, he wanted to go back into the auction and the IPL auction rules give players the freedom to choose whether they want to go into the auction. The Punjab Kings have failed to qualify for the playoffs for the last 10 years and will be hoping that the return of KL Rahul could turn their fortunes around.
# 8. Gujarat Titans- Alzarri Joseph
The Gujarat Titans will want a tearaway fast bowler in their ranks and who could be better than Alzarri Joseph who is one of the most intimidating bowlers going around? He still holds the record for the best IPL figures of 6/12 in his debut IPL game for the Mumbai Indians.
Alzarri was snapped up by the Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2022 auction and played for them till 2023. His recent form and ability to hit the deck consistently make him a viable pick for the Titans. He could be snapped up by the 2022 champions Gujarat Titans for a relatively lesser sum.
# 9. Mumbai Indians- Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock is one of the most explosive batters going around. The southpaw was released by the Lucknow Supergiants ahead of the 2025 auction. He joined the Mumbai Indians in 2019 and made an impact by scoring 529 runs in the tournament.
The incredible ball striker brings different dynamics to his game, and the five-time champions might be tempted to buy him back in the upcoming auction. He can take up the wicket-keeping mantle and also play as an impact player if required.
# 10. Lucknow Supergiants- Evin Lewis
Evin Lewis recently made his ODI comeback for West Indies and has already made a significant impact with his blistering batting. He is a fearless striker of the ball and could be on the radar of LSG.
He represented LSG in 2022 but couldn't quite make an impact. Given his recent form, Lewis could go for a big sum in the auction, and nothing better than getting into a franchise that he has represented before.