DRS Nov 25: Rishabh Pant headlines IPL Auction 2025, Rs 50 cr for Shreyas-Venkatesh Iyer & RCB vs KL Rahul

Phew. We have finally witnessed the blockbuster IPL 2025 Auction that was certainly a “Mega” one. As expected, Rishabh Pant turned out to the biggest star as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) splurged an exorbitant fee of Rs 27 crore for their new superstar. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer took away Rs 26.75 cr and will now join Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings (PBKS). A total of 84 players went under the hammer on Day 1, with the ten franchises spending a total of Rs 467.95 crore for 72 players. Meanwhile, the action resumes on Day 2. What will not be going to another day is the opening BGT Test in Perth, where India continued their dominance. They put up a target of 534 runs against Australia, who have already lost 3 wickets. On that note, let us look at top six stories from November 24, Sunday.

Rishabh Pant – History maker at IPL Auction

Rishabh Pant broke Shreyas Iyer’s short-lived record as the most expensive player in IPL history in a spectacular matchup at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah. Even though the Delhi Capitals tried to keep their former captain by utilising their Right to Match card at Rs 20.75 crore, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) managed to acquire Pant for an incredible Rs 27 crore, capping an epic bidding war. This easily made him the costliest player ever in IPL history. Till IPL 2024, it was Mitchell Starc, who earned Rs 24.75 at KKR.

Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer, two players with the same surname, earned a combined total of ₹50.50 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Shreyas Iyer was bought by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore, while Venkatesh Iyer was secured by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹23.75 crore. Rishabh Pant broke Shreyas’ record, becoming the most expensive signing at ₹27 crore. While Pant was surely the costliest, the Iyer duo’s massive earnings made headlines at the IPL 2025 auction.

RCB vs KL Rahul?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made surprising moves at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Despite needing a captain and wicketkeeper, they showed little interest in KL Rahul, who was bought by the Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore. Instead, RCB aggressively bid for Venkatesh Iyer, ultimately backing out at ₹23.75 crore, which Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid to retain him. RCB’s bizarre antics quickly came to notice not only among cricket experts but with the fans too. From IPL 2025 retentions to the auction, KL Rahul was touted to be picked up by his home team, RCB, but they ended their bidding at just Rs 10.50 crore for KL Rahul.

Zimbabwe beat Pakistan!

Zimbabwe clinched an 80-run victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected first ODI at Bulawayo. After Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, Zimbabwe posted 205 all out in 40.2 overs, with Richard Ngarava top-scoring with 48 and Sikandar Raza contributing 39. Pakistan’s chase crumbled early, slumping to 58-6 with captain Mohammad Rizwan struggling at 19 off 43 balls. Rain interrupted play in the 21st over with Pakistan at 60-6, well below the DLS par score of 141. With no floodlights available, the match couldn’t resume, handing Zimbabwe the win. Raza was named Player of the Match for his all-round heroics.

Max Verstappen: The GOAT!

Max Verstappen secured his fourth Formula One world championship title with a fifth-placed finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen edged out rival Lando Norris, who finished sixth, to seal the title. The Dutchman joins an elite group of drivers, including Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Lewis Hamilton, who have won four or more world championships. Red Bull’s champion Verstappen ended a 10-race winless drought by storming to victory from 17th on the grid in Brazil three weeks ago to ensure that the defence of his crown stayed alive.

Kohli-Jaiswal show in Perth

India’s dramatic turnaround in the Perth Test against Australia was scripted by two batting maestros from different eras. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young prodigy, bounced back from a first-innings duck to craft a magnificent 161, while Virat Kohli silenced critics with his 30th Test century, marking his seventh in Australia. Their stellar performances helped India set an imposing target of 534, making it almost impossible for Australia. The transformation was remarkable, considering India’s recent whitewash by New Zealand at home. After being dismissed for 150 in the first innings, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul restricted Australia to 104. The batting renaissance followed, with KL Rahul contributing 77 and Kohli forming crucial partnerships with Washington Sundar and debutant Nitish Reddy en route to his first Test hundred of 2024. By stumps on Day 3, Bumrah and Siraj had Australia reeling at 12-3, needing another 522 runs with seven wickets remaining. India stands on the brink of a historic Test victory.