A T20I series seldom turns into a practice run for a player auction in a franchise league, but the IPL is anything but.. With the IPL 2025 mega auction looming on November 24 and 25, several of those involved in the rubber between South Africa and India will feel the heat of the IPL spotlight.
IPL 2025 Auction > SA vs IND T20Is?
The upcoming four matches, starting this Friday at Kingsmead and concluding next Friday at the Wanderers, could be life-changing for some players. A strong performance could lead to lucrative IPL contracts, while a poor showing might leave them without a deal and significantly less money. And there’s no harm in seeking money. Player train day in and day out, put their body on the line to represent their country. With IPL being the most competitive T20 league in the world, every player wants to have a taste of it.
The potential for financial windfall is especially high for players who are up for grabs in the auction. Of South Africa’s squad of 16, only Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals) have been retained. Moreover, barring two other players, all the Protea talents have a chance to go under the hammer as well.
Which Indian players seek deals at IPL 2025 Auction?
On the Indian side, 11 of the 15 players have been retained by their respective IPL franchises. The costliest retention was Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson at Rs 18 crore. The exceptions are Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Avesh Khan, who have all made themselves available to be bought.
The upcoming T20I series could be a prime opportunity for these unretained players to leverage the recency bias of IPL franchises. A standout performance against quality opposition could catch the eye of team owners and management, potentially leading to a big pay day at the auction.
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Arshdeep Singh, in particular, is likely to be one of the most sought-after players. The left-arm seamer has established himself as a reliable death-overs specialist in the T20 cricket. He was India’s highest wicket-taker at the T20 World Cup 2024, and can already be India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is history. The left-armer is anyway likely to get huge pay. However, impressive performances against South Africa can take his stocks even further.
Similarly, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, and Jitesh Sharma will be eager to put their best foot forward. A few match-winning displays could see them command hefty price tags, potentially transforming their careers overnight. Both Vyshak and Avesh would feel ideal to bowl in South Africa and impress IPL franchises. Chances are slim for Jitesh as Samson will the primary keeper during the tour. Regardless, he will also be gunning to impress with his hard-hitting abilities.
The 1,574 players registered for the IPL 2025 auction, including 1,165 Indians and 409 foreigners from 16 countries, will all be keeping a close eye on the SA vs IND T20I series. For some, it could be the difference between cashing in on the riches of the IPL or missing out on a life-changing opportunity.
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