The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction has been making headlines with its intense bidding wars and record-breaking deals. On the second day of the auction, the Delhi Capitals made some strategic purchases to strengthen their squad. The team acquired top players, including former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and India pacer Mukesh Kumar, to bolster their batting and bowling lineups.
The first session of Day 2 of the IPL 2025 mega auction saw the Delhi Capitals making some smart buys. The team’s first purchase of the day was Faf du Plessis, who was acquired for a steal at ₹2 crore. Du Plessis, a two-time IPL winner with the Chennai Super Kings, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Delhi Capitals squad. With 4,571 runs in 145 matches, including 37 half-centuries, du Plessis is expected to play a key role in Delhi’s batting lineup.
Delhi Capitals also retained India pacer Mukesh Kumar for ₹8 crore using the Right to Match (RTM) card. Kumar, who made his IPL debut with the Delhi Capitals in 2023, has been impressive in his outings for the team. With 17 wickets in 10 matches in the previous season, Kumar is expected to be a key player in Delhi’s bowling attack.
Speaking about the buys, Venugopal Rao, Director of Cricket, Delhi Capitals, said, “This time, our batting and bowling is very compact. Our bowling lineup is experienced. We have strengthened our fast bowling with Starc, Natarajan, Mohit, and Mukesh, who are all experienced. They will combine with our spinners Axar and Kuldeep, so our bowling lineup is very experienced. Batters will win matches for us, but bowlers will win us the title.”
Sourav Ganguly, Director of Cricket, Delhi Capitals, and JSW Sports, expressed his delight at acquiring IPL veteran du Plessis. “He has been very good in this format. He had a terrific CPL and MLC. Another part of Faf’s ability is the leadership, so we are extremely happy and surprised that we got him for this amount,” Ganguly said.
The IPL 2025 mega auction has been a thrilling ride so far, with teams going all out to acquire top talent. The auction has seen some intense bidding wars, with players like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer breaking records with their massive deals. Pant, who was acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering ₹27 crore, became the most expensive player in IPL history. Iyer, who was snapped up by Punjab Super Kings for ₹26.75 crore, broke Mitchell Starc’s IPL 2024 record as the highest-paid player until Pant surpassed him moments later.
The IPL 2025 mega auction has also seen some surprise buys, with teams opting for lesser-known players who have impressed in domestic cricket. The auction has been a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, with teams willing to spend big to acquire top talent.
Players Acquired by Delhi Capitals on Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction:
1. Faf du Plessis-Batter: ₹2 crore
2. Mukesh Kumar-Bowler: ₹8 crore
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Top 5 Most Expensive Players
1. Rishabh Pant: ₹27 crore
2. Shreyas Iyer: ₹26.75 crore
3. Venkatesh Iyer: ₹23.75 crore
4. Arshdeep Singh: ₹18 crore
5. Yuzvendra Chahal: ₹18 crore
Here are two options and reactions:
Cricket player
“The Delhi Capitals have made some smart buys in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Faf du Plessis is a seasoned campaigner who brings a wealth of experience to the team. His ability to play anchor and accelerate when needed will be invaluable to the Capitals. Mukesh Kumar’s retention is also a great move, given his impressive performance last season. Overall, the Capitals have strengthened their squad and look like a formidable team for the upcoming season.”- Arka Shee
Cricket Analysis Expert
“Well, first of all, I am a bit skeptical towards the auction this year because of multiple reasons. The first reason is the unnecessary release of players from franchises where they actually performed in the previous years. The second reason is spending crazy money on not so important players at the moment. I mean incase of Shreyas Iyer considering his current form I think 26crore+ is a huge no but still somehow justified considering the fact he led KKR from the front on the road to victory last year but the way KKR went all out for Venkatesh Iyer spending such a huge sum of 23 crores is something too much hence I found it to be totally irrelevant. On the contrary LSG had some great picks with the likes of Rishab Pant keeping in mind the consistent good level of cricket he has been playing since his comeback so I think is totally deserving but then again keeping aside cricket I think IPL is a game of money and fame so I think whatever happens will be best for business.” – Sreyam Chakraborty
As the IPL 2025 mega auction comes to a close, teams will be looking to finalize their squads and prepare for the upcoming season. With some exciting new signings and a revamped squad, the Delhi Capitals will be looking to make a strong impact in the IPL 2025 season. The auction 2025 has set the stage for a thrilling year ahead. Stay updated with our latest news and updates to catch all the action as it unfolds.
By Anusmita Bhatta
Reporting for True To Life News Media Pvt. Ltd.