Ranking the 5 best Indian wicketkeeping options in IPL 2025 auction ft. Rishabh Pant
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is soon approaching and the excitement is building up with each passing day. With several big names set to be a part of the auction, it is expected to be a massive event, with teams going after players in fierce bidding wars.
While batters and bowlers are always in the limelight, wicket-keepers have an equally important role to play in the team. In the T20 format particularly, a wicket-keeper is required to be equally good both with the bat and behind the stumps.
Wicket-keepers can fit into any batting position, be it opening, in the middle order, or lower down the order as finishers. Several franchises are in need of wicketkeeper-batters, which will only spice things up at the upcoming IPL auction.
Many of these wicket-keepers will be on the radar of each franchise and securing their services could prove to be challenging. Having said that, let us take a look at who are the five best Indian wicket-keeping options available at the upcoming auction.
Ranking the 5 best Indian wicketkeeping options in IPL 2025 auction
#5 Aryan Juyal
Aryan Juyal is a wicketkeeper-batter hailing from Uttar Pradesh. Juyal has been a consistent run-getter with first-class and List-A centuries to his name. He recently slammed a hundred against Karnataka in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season as well.
He displayed good form in the UP T20 League earlier this year, where he smashed a century, scoring 104 runs off just 54 balls. Aryan Juyal was picked by the Mumbai Indians for INR 20 lakh ahead of IPL 2022 but did not play a single game.
The 23-year-old is certainly an exciting prospect and given his recent form, teams could show interest in acquiring his services.
#4 Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma was released by the Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 auction. Punjab roped in Jitesh ahead of the 2022 season and he has established his reputation as a fine finisher with the bat.
Jitesh showcased his batting prowess in IPL 2022, amassing 234 runs with an impressive strike rate of 163.64. He carried this momentum into the 2023 season, where he improved his performance further by scoring 309 runs at a strike rate of 156.06.
With his fearless and attacking approach with the bat down the order, Jitesh is another solid wicketkeeper-batter option at the auction.
#3 Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is among the big names up for grabs at the upcoming auction. Though he has been out of the Indian team and surrounded by controversies, his skillset could still make him one of the most sought-after players.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, released by the Mumbai Indians, remains a key player to watch in the auction. While his recent form has seen a slight decline, his aggressive approach and reliable wicketkeeping make him a sought-after asset.
Capable of excelling both in the top and middle order, Kishan's track record in the IPL and his untapped potential are likely to spark intense bidding from multiple franchises.
#2 KL Rahul
While KL Rahul faced criticism for his form and strike-rate in the previous season, he still remains among the most reliable wicketkeeper-batter options at the auction.
His solid wicket-keeping skills, along with his ability to open the innings and bat in the middle order, make him a valuable asset. Rahul can provide stability as well as accelerate when needed.
He has been a consistent run-getter in the league over the years and has put in several impressive performances. Rahul brings immense experience to the table and multiple teams will be after him without a doubt.
#1 Rishabh Pant
Former Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant is arguably among the best wicket-keeping options at the auction. The star Indian wicketkeeper-batter is certain to ignite bidding wars as teams will be willing to break the bank to rope him in.
Pant has proved his ability with the bat and is known for his fearless and aggressive approach in the middle, often winning games on his own. Along with his batting, Pant also significantly improved his wicket-keeping skills.
He was the top run-getter for Delhi Capitals last year, scoring 446 runs at a strike-rate of over 155. Pant is among the biggest names in the auction and is likely to attract one of the highest bids as well.