The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to make history once again, as the 2025 mega auction heads from Dubai to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This highly anticipated two-day mega event is expected to take place on November 24-25, marking only the second time an IPL auction is held outside the Indian subcontinent, following last year’s event in Dubai.

As per the recent reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been closely working to finalize the arrangements, with officials recently conducting a preliminary venue inspection in Jeddah. While international locations such as Dubai, Singapore, and Vienna were also considered, Riyadh ultimately emerged as the preferred choice for this year’s mega auction.

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On October 31, IPL franchises revealed their retention lists, with 46 players retained for a combined value of INR 558.5 crore. With Indian players dominate this list, accounting for 36 retained spots, including 10 promising uncapped players. Key figures entering the auction pool include international stars like Jos Buttler, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, as well as Indian favorites like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer. 

Iyer’s release from the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, along with Pant and Rahul’s exits from Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively, offers strong leadership options for teams who are in search of new captains.

A scheduling overlap with India’s first Test against Australia, set for November 22-26 in Perth, may present logistical challenges for the board. However, the time difference could work to the organizers’ advantage, allowing the auction to proceed without directly clashing with the Test broadcast.

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Reports suggest that the BCCI is also expected to send an additional team to Riyadh to finalize preparations. Franchises will be eager for official confirmation from the board to arrange their travel and logistics.