Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction, which will decide the fate of 577 shortlisted players, is currently underway at the Abady Al Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With just 204 slots up for grabs, including 70 overseas ones, only a select few out of 367 Indian and 210 overseas players will be picked by the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams for the 2025 season.
Krunal Pandya, who is one of the sought after Indian players in the mega auction, has been signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 5.75 Crore. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opened the bid for Krunal Pandya, and were joined by Rajasthan Royals (RR). With the bid crossing INR 4.40 Cr mark, Royals dropped out of the race but came back, placing a bid of INR 5 Crore. The race went deep with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru claiming his services for INR 5.75 Crore.
Krunal Pandya's IPL Career
After being released by Luknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Krunal Pandya registered himself for a base price of INR 2 Crore, following which the organising committee listed him in Set 14 capped all-rounders 2. Krunal is known for his all-round skills. He bowls slow left-arm orthodox and bats in the lower middle order.
Krunal started his IPL career in 2016 when Mumbai Indians (MI) bought him for INR 2 Crore. As a spin-bowling all-rounder, he became a key player in MI’s lower middle order. In his debut season, he scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 191.12 and took six wickets. He was named Player of the Match in the 2017 IPL final for his crucial 47 runs. In 2018, MI re-signed Krunal for INR 8.80 Crore. He played an important role in their title wins in 2019 and 2020. In 2022, Lucknow Super Giants bought him for INR 8.25 Crore, and he helped them reach the playoffs in their first two seasons.
The 33-year-old has played 127 IPL matches for two teams, scoring 1,647 runs and taking 76 wickets. Krunal has won three IPL trophies with MI in 2017, 2019, and 2020.
