IPL 2025 Auction: Ishan Kishan takes 26% pay cut with INR 11.25 crore SRH deal

During the Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 11.25 crore, seeing a 26% reduction from his previous price tag. The explosive left-hander, previously with Mumbai Indians, triggered an intense bidding war before landing with his new franchise.

The 25-year-old's breakthrough season came in 2020 when he scored 516 runs at an impressive average of 57.33 for MI. He has been part of two of their title-winning teams. Despite recent challenges, including losing his central contract and place in the national team, Kishan has shone in domestic cricket and earned a spot in the India A squad for matches against Australia A.

The auction saw MI opening the bidding at Kishan's base price of INR 2 crore but surprisingly backing out at INR 3.20 crore. Following that, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings were involved in a bidding war before SRH made a late entry.

Also Read: DAY 1: IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates on Players Sold, Unsold, Purse Remaining & Full Squad Details

Mumbai couldn't use RTM for Ishan Kishan

MI's inability to retain Kishan was largely due to their retention strategy, having already secured five capped players in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma. The decision prevented them from using their Right to Match (RTM) card, as IPL rules say that RTM can only be used for uncapped player(s) if a team has retained five capped players. Having made five retentions, MI could not have exercised the RTM for Kishan, a capped player.

Meanwhile, the bidding war saw multiple phases of intense competition. DC looked to fill the void left by Rishabh Pant, who engaged in a battle with PBKS. The price steadily climbed as paddles were raised across tables, with the bid reaching INR 9.5 crore before SRH's entry at INR 10.25 crore. With this acquisition, Kishan will join some big names that have been picked by the 2016 champions.