This mega auction has been more about homecoming of players to their former franchises. Starting with the Chennai Super Kings to the Mumbai Indians, franchises have preferred their former players over the new ones which shows the love and respect towards the players. There were few players who found new teams for the upcoming year and will be excited to join in and see how things work out for them.
Rishabh Pant was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants at a whopping amount of 27 crores which was fascinating. He was leading the Delhi Capitals in the past few seasons, however, the franchise did use their RTM card to get their captain back but LSG's quoted price was too much for them. Shreyas Iyer also found a new home as Punjab Kings paid 26.75 crores for the player. Overall, it was a thrilling mega-auction.
Let's check out the top five homecoming players for IPL 2025:
1. Trent Boult
Mumbai Indians went straight away for Trent Boult in the mega auction who was a part of Rajasthan Royals in the previous season. He played for two years with the Royals but returned to Mumbai for the upcoming season. With his return, MI's pace attack became stronger than ever. They have Jasprit Bumrah from one side and Boult from another. MI also picked up pacer Deepak Chahar who has had a good time with CSK.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin
After nine long years, Ravichandran Ashwin returns to Chennai Super Kings. The franchise got back the local boy for 9.75 crores in the mega auction. It will be a reunion of Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin and MS Dhoni, the trinity of CSK. Ashwin won two trophies with the Super Kings before moving out in 2016. The Chennai crowd will be happy to have their homeboy back in the team.
3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team in IPL 2009-10 and now the franchise brought him back again for the upcoming season. Bhuvneshwar is one of the best powerplay bowlers as he gives timely breakthroughs to the team. He hasn't played in the international set-up for a long time but has done well in the IPL. RCB required a lethal pacer and they got it in the form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Also Check: Rating each teams' squad out of 10 after IPL 2025 mega auction
4. Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell was a part of the Punjab Kings in 2014-17 and then again in 2020 and this time too the franchise brought him back in the team. Maxwell played for RCB in the previous two seasons and was magnificent. His homecoming to Punjab means they have gotten a good middle-order batter who has the ability to smash the bowlers. 2014 was the best season for Maxwell where he helped Punjab qualify for playoffs. The same will be expected from him this time as well.
5. Sam Curran
Sam Curran was a part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the 2020-21 season and then moved to Punjab Kings where he was their captain. Now CSK have brought him back home for the IPL 2025. The player is likely to be their middle order batter along with Dhoni and Dube.