Reports: Daniel Vettori to skip first BGT Test for IPL 2025 mega auction

With the IPL 2025 mega auction approaching near, there have been quite a lot of conversations discussing the same. Almost all franchises have released some big names into the pool, and it will be interesting to witness how and where those players ultimately land. However, according to the latest developments, there might be a high probability of the assistant coach of the Australian men's national team, Daniel Vettori, skipping the first Test of the high-profile Australia-India series to attend the event in Jeddah.

The first Test in Perth will begin on November 22, 2024, and the mega auction is going to be held on November 24 and 25 in Saudi Arabia. Vettori, who is the head coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, is set to be in the Middle East during that period for the auction. Vettori's first season with SRH saw the franchise make it to the final of the cash-rich league.

Ponting, Langer to skip commentary duties for mega auction

Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants head coaches and former Australian teammates, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, are disclosed to be potentially missing out on being a part of the commentary panel for the opening Test of the series due to the same reason as mentioned above. 

Also Read: 5 in-form Indian players who deserve to get picked in the 2025 IPL auction

"Unless Seven and Cricket Australia can protect their interests against powerful cricket authorities in India, Ponting, Langer and Australia assistant coach Dan Vettori will likely be in Saudi Arabia holding a paddle at the IPL's mega player auction in Jeddah instead of being at Optus Stadium when the first Test reaches its conclusion," reported The Age. 

'Seven' has a seven-year AUD 1.5 billion deal with Foxtel. It is being alleged that even that will not be able to prevent Ponting or Langer from missing the last three days of the Perth Test. 2023 saw Ponting who was then coaching the Delhi Capitals leave for the auction post Day 3 of the Test. However, Langer stayed put till the completion of the game. The auction which was held a couple of days after the Test concluded saw Vettori leave for Dubai immediately after the game between Australia and Pakistan ended.