IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Punjab Kings Secure Marco Jansen, RCB Bags Krunal Pandya, Shardul Thakur Goes Unsold

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction held on Monday delivered its share of surprises and fierce bidding battles, with standout performances from franchises like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. South African all-rounder Marco Jansen found a new home in Punjab Kings for ₹7 crore, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured Krunal Pandya for ₹5.75 crore. However, in a surprising turn of events, seasoned Indian pacer Shardul Thakur went unsold.

Marco Jansen, known for his explosive all-round capabilities, entered the auction with a base price of ₹1.25 crore. A bidding war ensued, with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) raising the stakes early on. When MI bowed out, Gujarat Titans (GT) entered the fray, leading to another intense battle.

The bidding escalated quickly, crossing ₹5 crore, with GT showing resilience. However, PBKS remained steadfast, securing the South African star for ₹7 crore. Jansen’s move marks a significant shift from his previous stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as he joins PBKS to bolster their lineup.

Krunal Pandya, a reliable all-rounder with extensive IPL experience, was highly sought after. A tug-of-war between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) ended with RCB successfully signing Pandya for ₹5.75 crore. His addition provides RCB with a strong balance of power-hitting and spin-bowling depth.

In a surprising outcome, Shardul Thakur, who featured for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, went unsold despite expectations of bids. Thakur’s underwhelming previous season likely played a role in the lack of interest from franchises.

New Zealand’s power-packed all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope also failed to attract any bids, adding to the list of unsold players.

Washington Sundar, initially overlooked, found a buyer after Gujarat Titans made the first move with a ₹3.2 crore bid following a consultation by coach Ashish Nehra. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered the race but eventually conceded to GT, who secured Sundar’s services at the same price.

Rajasthan Royals shifted focus after missing out on Krunal Pandya and quickly targeted Nitish Rana, a former Kolkata Knight Riders player. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) initiated the bidding for Rana, but RR persisted and successfully signed him for ₹4.2 crore, adding strength to their middle order.