As the IPL 2025 Mega Auction approaches, two prominent wicketkeeper-batters, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, are set to enter the auction pool. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has forecasted a major bidding war for these star players, predicting they could attract bids as high as ₹25-30 crore each.
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made a surprising decision by retaining Nicholas Pooran at a staggering ₹21 crore, which resulted in the team not retaining their former captain, KL Rahul. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals and Rishabh Pant failed to reach an agreement on a retention fee, leading to Pant’s entry into the auction pool.
Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, emphasized the potential for both players to fetch record-breaking prices. He highlighted Pant’s appeal as a dynamic, young wicketkeeper-batter and noted his impact on the game, suggesting every franchise would be eager to secure his services.
“Rishabh Pant is going to get a lot of money. The amount could go to ₹25 crore or even 30. The same is true for KL Rahul, who consistently scores 500-600 runs every season,” Chopra explained. Despite memes circulating about Rahul’s conservative strike rate and recent form, Chopra defended the former LSG captain’s value, stating that his steady performance and keeping skills make him an attractive prospect.
As the auction draws near, Chopra’s insights point to an intense battle among franchises to acquire these two high-profile players, each aiming to bolster their squads with proven IPL talent.