Among the biggest surprises in the 1,574-player longlist for the IPL 2025 mega auction is the entry of the veteran English pacer James Anderson who entered the fray at the age of 42. Anderson, who retired from international cricket earlier this year in July with 704 Test wickets, has registered for the IPL auction for the first time, setting his base price at INR 1.25 crore. 

Despite his celebrated Test career, Anderson has little experience in the T20 format, with his last appearance in 2014 for Lancashire. The seasoned bowler has played only 44 T20 matches in his career, including 19 for England, taking a total of 41 wickets.

Veteran English pacer joins IPL auction for the first time as franchises eye fresh talent 

This year’s IPL auction is expected to be highly competitive, with 1,574 players registered for just 204 slots, as each franchise can fill a maximum squad of 25. The pool includes 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas players, with the longlist expected to be cut short before the auction. 

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Notably, no English player was retained by any of the ten franchises during the IPL 2025 retention round on October 31, leaving notable names like England white-ball captain Jos Buttler available for the auction. 

The BCCI has introduced a new rule for this season, stipulating a two-year ban for overseas players who pull out after being signed. This rule aims to ensure commitment and boost team stability. 

Anderson’s unexpected bid adds intrigue, especially as franchises consider experienced players amid the youth-focused mega auction set for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

With Anderson joining big names in the mega auction pool, and BCCI’s strict rules encouraging full-season availability of overseas players, IPL 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated seasons.