Fans go wild as Preity Zinta-owned Punjab Kings buys Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore at IPL 2025 mega auction

In a groundbreaking moment for the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shreyas Iyer has been sold to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a record-breaking ₹26.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This monumental bid not only made Iyer the most expensive player in IPL history but also surpassed the previous record set by Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was bought for ₹24.75 crore in the last auction.

A historic acquisition by Punjab Kings

The auction took place on Sunday (November 24) and Iyer’s acquisition by Punjab Kings marked a significant investment for the franchise, which retained only two players ahead of the auction and entered with a substantial budget of ₹110.5 crore. The bidding for Iyer was intense, involving a three-way contest among Punjab Kings, his former team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Delhi Capitals (DC), all of whom were eager to secure the talented middle-order batsman. Iyer’s release from KKR after leading them to their third IPL title in 2024 came as a surprise, especially considering his impressive performance during the season where he scored 351 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 146.86. His ability to perform under pressure and his leadership experience made him a prime target for franchises looking to strengthen their squads.

Iyer’s impressive track record

Shreyas Iyer has been a consistent performer in the IPL since making his debut for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2015. Over 116 matches, he has accumulated 3,127 runs at an average of 32.23 and a strike rate of 127.47, including 21 half-centuries. His prowess against spin and ability to anchor innings have made him an invaluable asset.In addition to his IPL success, Iyer has also made significant contributions in domestic cricket, recently scoring a blistering 130 not out off just 57 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He has shown remarkable form this season, including two centuries in the Ranji Trophy and a career-best score of 233 against Odisha.

Also READ: Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction 2025 – LIVE Updates

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Also READ: Cities that have hosted IPL auctions since the league’s inception

Related Content

AU-W vs IN-W, 2nd ODI: Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Tips & Pitch Report | Australia vs India 2024

Scott Boland sledges Nitish Kumar Reddy in Adelaide Test, India star fires back

F-Bomb! Aakash Chopra exposes Travis Head after his ‘well bowled’ statement on spat with Mohammed Siraj