Mallika Sagar to Lead IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah

Mallika Sagar, the trailblazing auctioneer, has been announced as the auctioneer for the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Scheduled to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this marks Sagar’s second stint leading an IPL auction, following her successful debut at last year’s mini-auction in Dubai.

Sagar has consistently made history in the world of sports auctioneering. Before stepping into the IPL, she conducted auctions for the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL), becoming the first woman auctioneer in all three leagues. Her appointment last year as the IPL’s first-ever female auctioneer marked a significant milestone in the tournament’s history.

Currently associated with Pundole’s auction house in Mumbai, Sagar’s expertise extends beyond sports auctions. She began her career at Christie’s in 2001, where she made waves as the first woman auctioneer of Indian origin. Armed with a degree in art history from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, Sagar has cemented her reputation as a distinguished figure in auctioneering.

The IPL 2025 mega auction will kick off at 3 PM IST on November 24 and continue through November 25. The player pool features 574 cricketers, with the 10 franchises aiming to fill 204 slots to build their squads for the next IPL cycle. The original list of 1,574 registered players was pruned down for this event.

Each team is allowed a maximum of 25 players, and this two-day spectacle is expected to shape the fortunes of franchises for the upcoming season.

High-profile Indian stars such as Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul are among the marquee players expected to generate fierce bidding wars. With leadership qualities and proven track records, these players will likely be prime targets for teams seeking captains.

Following the completion of retentions, franchises are conducting extensive trials and finalizing wishlists as they prepare for the auction.

Mallika Sagar’s return to the IPL auction stage underscores her growing influence and the league’s commitment to embracing diversity. As the franchises gear up for this high-stakes event, all eyes will be on Jeddah as the cricketing world awaits the next wave of blockbuster deals.