In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity, legendary England fast bowler James Anderson has made the stunning decision to enter the IPL 2025 mega auctions. Anderson, widely celebrated for his phenomenal Test career, had announced his retirement from the longest format of the game only a few months ago during a series against the West Indies. Remarkably, this upcoming IPL season might be the first time this seasoned pacer graces the lucrative league, as he has never before participated in the Indian Premier League.
James Anderson has listed his base price at Rs 1.25 crore, a figure that reflects both his stature and the intrigue surrounding his comeback to T20 cricket. His last appearance in a Twenty20 match dates back more than a decade to his outing for Lancashire in the NatWest T20 Blast against Warwickshire. Following his Test retirement, Anderson has taken on a coaching role, serving as the bowling coach for the England national team.
In a curious twist, the name of England’s prominent all-rounder Ben Stokes is conspicuous by its absence from the list of registered players for the IPL 2025 auctions. Stokes had previously opted out of IPL 2024, and his participation in the 2023 season was limited to a handful of games with the Chennai Super Kings.
Meanwhile, a notable roster of Indian cricketers has thrown their hats into the ring, each listing a base price of Rs 2 crore. The list includes emerging talents such as Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, and Ishan Kishan, alongside more established names like Mukesh Kumar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, T Natarajan, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav.
Returning to Anderson, the cricketing legend has recently spoken about his curiosity regarding the shorter formats of the game following his retirement from Test cricket. “There’s definitely some intrigue about T20 cricket. I’ve not played in any of the franchise tournaments before,” Anderson shared with the Press Association.
. “Watching The Hundred this year, it was fascinating to see the ball swinging around. There’s a feeling within me that I could still perform well in this format. While I understand my age and the long hiatus could be potential obstacles, I believe I have the skills necessary to contribute to the game in this format,” he emphasized.
Adding an unexpected international flavor to the upcoming IPL auction is the registration of Italian cricketer Thomas Draca, who has also put his name forward. Known for his medium pace, Draca was recently seen playing in the Global T20 Canada for Brampton. In a further boost to his career, the 24-year-old has been signed by MI Emirates for the forthcoming season of the ILT20 in the UAE.
Anderson’s inclusion in the IPL auction is poised to be one of the highlights of the event. Despite having hung up his Test boots, his sudden decision to pivot to T20 cricket raises questions about what might be in store for him in this format. Fans worldwide are eager to see if any franchise will take a chance on the veteran speedster, whose illustrious career has been marked by skillful swing bowling and relentless energy on the field.
On the other hand, Ben Stokes’ absence raises questions and speculations about his plans for the upcoming season. Whether it is due to personal reasons, injury concerns, or strategic decisions remains unclear, leaving fans and analysts alike puzzled by his notable withdrawal from the auction pool.
As the IPL 2025 mega auctions approach, they promise excitement and intrigue, with the potential for unexpected developments. Whether it be Anderson making his long-awaited T20 franchise debut or the mystery surrounding Stokes’ absence, cricket fans globally are keen to see how the next chapter in the fascinating and ever-evolving story of the IPL will unfold.
