IPL 2025 Auction: Rasikh Salam Dar and Naman Dhir are among the Top five uncapped players sold at the auction. Top five uncapped India players who got the highest bid in IPL 2025 auction.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a spectacle of talent, money, and a fair bit of drama. However, the IPL 2025 mega auction took things to a whole new level, as the cash-rich tournament once again proved why it’s one of the most-watched events in the cricketing calendar.
From record-breaking bids to nail-biting bidding wars, the auction had it all. While the marquee players understandably grabbed the most headlines, it was the uncapped players—often the underdogs—who stole the show as their price tags soared well beyond expectations. Teams spent big, and fans were treated to an auction that was as unpredictable as a T20 match itself.
Let’s take a closer look at the five uncapped players who made the headlines for all the right (and sometimes jaw-dropping) reasons.
Rasikh Salam Dar: INR 6 crore (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) started the 2025 auction with a strategy that could best be described as “laid-back.” They didn’t seem too eager in the early rounds, letting several top-tier players slip through their fingers. But when it came to Rasikh Salam Dar, things took a dramatic turn. The Kashmir-born pacer was on the radar for many, and when the bidding started, RCB wasn’t about to let him go.
Dar, fresh off an impressive performance in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 2024, where he picked up nine wickets in four games, had already earned a reputation for his death-bowling skills. This was particularly true about his match-winning spell against Pakistan, where he gave away just 17 runs in two key overs.
Naman Dhir: INR 5.4 crore (Mumbai Indians)
Naman Dhir is one of those players whose price tag seems to increase every time you blink. The 24-year-old Punjab all-rounder, who was part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) setup last season, once again found himself in high demand. The bidding started when MI made their move, but it didn’t take long for the other franchises to jump into the fray. What followed was a classic auction bidding war, with RCB and Delhi Capitals (DC) also throwing their hats into the ring.
The real drama unfolded when Rajasthan Royals (RR) entered the picture, eventually raising Dhir's price to INR 3.4 crore. At this point, MI opted to use their RTM, and despite RR's best efforts, the Ambani-owned franchise managed to hold onto their man for INR 5.4 crore.
Abdul Samad: INR 4.2 crore (Lucknow Super Giants)
When Abdul Samad entered the auction pool, the starting price of INR 30 lakh seemed like a steal for the young all-rounder from Jammu & Kashmir. SunRiser Hyderabad (SRH) had given him his IPL break, and his consistent ability to hit big sixes had caught the eye of many franchises.
But it was Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) who ultimately bagged him for INR 4.2 crore after an intense bidding war that saw RCB and SRH battling it out. Samad, who has been a fan favourite for his explosive batting and handy off-spin, will now bring his big-hitting skills to Lucknow. It’s a gamble worth taking for the Super Giants, who will be hoping that the 24-year-old can live up to his price tag and deliver the fireworks in IPL 2025.
Nehal Wadhera: INR 4.2 crore (Punjab Kings)
Nehal Wadhera was another all-rounder who had teams scrambling for his services. Wadhera was a name on the lips of many franchises heading into the auction due to his brilliant performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the 2023-24 season. The 24-year-old's versatile batting and useful off-spin made him an asset that was hard to ignore.
The bidding started with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but soon the race got fierce, with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Titans (GT), and of course, his home franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS), all in the hunt. In the end, Punjab had the last laugh, securing their man for INR 4.2 crore after a dramatic back-and-forth bidding war. The all-rounder could prove to be a crucial addition to Punjab’s squad as they look to make a bigger impact in IPL 2025.
Ashutosh Sharma: INR 3.8 crore (Delhi Capitals)
Ashutosh Sharma, the Railways batter who impressed in IPL 2024 with his swashbuckling performances for PBKS, found himself amid another intense bidding war. After making 189 runs in 11 innings last season, Sharma's all-around abilities were in high demand.
RCB made an early move, but RR and PBKS quickly joined the party. The bidding intensified, but it was ultimately the Capitals who walked away with the prize for INR 3.8 crore.
Priyansh Arya: INR 3.8 crore (Punjab Kings)
Priyansh Arya, the player who made a memorable impact in the inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) by hitting six sixes in an over, was acquired by the Kings for INR 3.8 crore. The 23-year-old has played 11 T20 matches and five List-A games for Delhi.
His bidding began at INR 30 lakhs with the Capitals, followed by interest from Mumbai. The auction soon turned into a battle between DC and PBKS. Despite strong competition from RCB and DC, PBKS stood their ground and secured Arya for INR 3.8 crore.
Read More: TATA IPL 2025 Auction Live Updates: Players Sold, Unsold, Purse Remaining & Full Team Details
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