Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah witnessed intense bidding wars and strategic acquisitions as teams bolstered their squads for the upcoming season. England’s all-rounder Jacob Bethell emerged as one of the top signings, joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹2.6 crore, while Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹75 lakh.

The young England all-rounder, known for his explosive batting and useful bowling, attracted bids from SRH and Punjab Kings (PBKS) before RCB swooped in to secure his services. Bethell has played seven T20Is for England, scoring 173 runs at a strike rate of 167.96, including two half-centuries. His potential makes him a valuable addition to RCB’s lineup.

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Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, known for his versatility and all-round capabilities, joined SRH without facing much competition. Mendis has scored 374 runs in 21 T20Is at an average of 20.77 and a strike rate of 123.43. However, it is his stellar Test record—1,004 runs with five centuries in eight matches at an average of 91.27—that makes him a promising pick.

Notable Domestic and International Acquisitions

Priyansh Arya (PBKS – ₹3.8 crore): The Delhi batter, who rose to fame by hitting six sixes in an over during the Delhi T20 Premier League, saw fierce bidding from DC and RCB before PBKS secured him. He scored 306 runs in 10 matches during the league at a strike rate of almost 199.
Aaron Hardie (PBKS – ₹1.25 crore): The Australian all-rounder joins a strong Punjab lineup under Ricky Ponting’s coaching.
Nathan Ellis (CSK – ₹2 crore): The Australian pacer, with international experience, moved from PBKS to CSK after Punjab chose not to use their Right-to-Match card.
Brydon Carse (SRH – ₹1 crore): The England pacer adds depth to SRH’s bowling lineup.
Jamie Overton (CSK – ₹1.5 crore): The England all-rounder strengthens CSK with his international T20 experience.

Emerging Talents and Strategic Buys

Manoj Bhandage (RCB – ₹30 lakh): The Karnataka batter returns to RCB after showcasing his power-hitting in the Maharaja T20 Trophy, scoring 292 runs at a strike rate of over 213.
Vipraj Nigam (DC – ₹50 lakh): The spinner, who took 20 wickets in the UP T20 League, joins Delhi Capitals.
Musheer Khan (PBKS – ₹30 lakh): The U19 World Cup talent joins Punjab Kings.
Raj Angad Bawa (MI – ₹30 lakh): The U19 WC 2022 hero, who shone with a match-winning performance in the final, returns to IPL with Mumbai Indians.