The IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah witnessed intense bidding wars as franchises vied for top talent in the spin department. Rajasthan Royals (RR) made headlines by securing Sri Lankan stars Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) splashed a massive ₹10 crore for Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed.
RR kicked off the action by acquiring Maheesh Theekshana for ₹4.40 crore after a bidding tussle with Mumbai Indians (MI). Theekshana, a key figure in Sri Lanka’s white-ball squad with 126 wickets in 107 matches, played for CSK since 2022, taking 25 wickets in 27 IPL matches.
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The Royals didn’t stop there, going big for Wanindu Hasaranga, another Sri Lankan spin maestro, for ₹5.25 crore. The 27-year-old, renowned for his all-round prowess with 287 wickets and 2,344 runs in 200 T20 matches, has 35 IPL wickets in 26 matches from his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RR’s investment signals their intent to dominate with spin in the upcoming season.
Chennai Super Kings secured Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmed for ₹10 crore, one of the day’s costliest buys. After a bidding war with MI, Gujarat Titans (GT) exercised their Right to Match (RTM) but eventually withdrew. Noor, who claimed 24 wickets in 23 matches for GT over the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons, has also impressed on the international stage with 16 wickets in 10 ODIs and 14 T20Is.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bolstered their spin options by signing Rahul Chahar for ₹3.20 crore. Despite PBKS holding the RTM, they opted not to retain Chahar, who has 75 IPL wickets in 78 matches and played a crucial role in MI’s 2020 title-winning campaign.
SRH also acquired Australian spinner Adam Zampa for ₹2.40 crore after edging out RR in the bidding. Zampa, one of the premier white-ball bowlers globally with 297 wickets in 201 ODIs and T20Is, adds depth to their bowling lineup.
Notable Moments and Unsold Players
Afghanistan spinner Waqar Salamkheil went unsold despite a base price of ₹75 lakh. With just one Test and 57 T20 appearances, Salamkheil’s limited exposure may have played a role in his omission.
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