IPL is said to be a mega auction. This three-year auction is not supposed to end in one day. Players, owners are all very interested in the mega auction of this franchise tournament full of money.
The mega auction of 2025 IPL started yesterday at 4 pm Bangladesh time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Those who have been watching on TV or Indian media including Cricbuzz-Cricinfo must have understood how much money has rained on the first day. Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history, breaking all previous records. He was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for 27 crore rupees. Apart from this, the franchises have bought T20 'hotcakes' including Jos Buttler, Phil Salt among foreigners at a high price. However, the franchises did not buy any Bangladeshi cricketer on the first day of the auction.
Not getting a call on the first day does not mean that the possibility of Bangladeshi cricketers playing in this year's IPL is completely over. Because, the second phase of the mega auction will start today at 4 pm Bangladesh time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Now the question is, what is the possibility of Mustafizur Rahman-Saqib Al Hasan getting a team in 2025 IPL? First let's come to the words of Mustafiz. Last time he played for Chennai Super Kings, he tried his best to get the 'Purple Cap' of highest wicket taker. Besides, even after the Bangladesh left-arm pacer left the IPL, Chennai has posted countless times about him on social media.
From Mustafiz's performance in international cricket to his birthday, Chennai has been doing 'Fiz Bandana' on Facebook regularly since 2024. Among the 12 cricketers in Bangladesh, his base price in this year's IPL is 2 crores. Even if the franchise does not retain him, chances are high that he will get a chance in this team. Because, his cutting can be very effective on the slow wicket of MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He has played 57 matches in the IPL in the last 8 years starting from 2016. In addition to Chennai, the left-handed pacer of Bangladesh has experience of playing in these five franchises – Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals. In addition to this, due to the lack of left-handed pacers in Indian domestic cricket, foreign left-handers like Mostafiz are valued a little more in IPL. He even has experience playing in BPL, IPL as well as Lankan Premier League (LPL).
Shakib Al Hasan has the experience of playing the most matches of Bangladeshi cricketers in the history of IPL. He has taken 63 wickets in 71 matches from 2011 to 2021. He played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, in the last 2021 IPL he played for Kolkata, he could not perform as expected. In the 2023 IPL, Kolkata took the star cricketer of Bangladesh but Jason Roy played as his (Shakib) substitute at the last minute. Despite retiring from international T20, Shakib does not have the same edge as before. Apart from IPL, he also failed to perform consistently in these franchise leagues of USA, Canada, Abu Dhabi T-Ten abroad. A few days ago, after Chennai posted a shadow of Shakib next to Ravindra Jadeja on their verified Facebook page, the hopes of Bangladeshi fans have risen a little. But that possibility is very less. Where cricketers like David Warner, Jonny Bairstow are still unsold in the mega auction.
Shariful Islam, Taskin Ahmed were tried several times before by IPL franchises. However, they did not get a no-objection letter to play IPL as it conflicted with international cricket. Pacers like Nahid Rana, Tanjim Hasan Shakib have made a name for themselves in international cricket with their speed, but there are few such fast pacers in IPL. Mayank Yadav rocked the 2024 IPL by bowling at a speed of over 150 kmph. During his service he played for Lucknow Super Giants. Rishad Hussain has a slight chance of getting a call-up to Punjab Kings. Because, Ricky Ponting is the coach of Punjab in 2025 IPL. Rishad was bought by his (Ponting) Big Bash team Hobart Hurricanes.
Liton Das, Tawheed Hriday, Mehdi Hasan Miraj are also unlikely to get a team in IPL. Whereas Liton was dropped from the XI after playing 1 match for Kolkata in 2023 IPL. He is not able to burn like that in international T20. On the other hand, in the case of foreign star batsmen, after the auction on the first day, it will be seen that Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Liam Livingstone for 8.75 crores with a base price of 2 crore rupees. Lucknow bought David Miller for 7.5 crore rupees.
Hasan Mahmud and Sheikh Mehdi Hasan remained among the Bangladeshi cricketers in the discussion so far. There is not much chance of getting their team. Moreover, Bangladeshi cricketers have some chance of getting a team in Kolkata Knight Riders. Because Kolkata can do branding better if Bangladeshis are taken. Even Bangladesh, West Bengal of India has a large number of Bengali speaking people. The date of 2025 IPL is known before the mega auction ends. The 18th IPL will run from March 14 to May 25 next year. So far, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have won the most five times.
