In a stunning turn of events that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, James Anderson, the esteemed former England fast bowler, has officially entered his name for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auctions. This bold move comes just months after Anderson declared his retirement from Test cricket following a series against the West Indies. The 41-year-old pacer, who has built his legacy in the longest format of the game, is yet to make an appearance in the IPL, making this decision all the more intriguing to fans and cricket pundits alike.
Anderson has registered himself in the upcoming IPL auctions with a base price of Rs 1.25 crores. The last time he was seen in a T20 contest dates back over a decade when he represented Lancashire in the NatWest T20 Blast against Warwickshire. Despite stepping away from international Test cricket, Anderson has kept the cricketing spirit alive by transitioning into the role of England’s bowling coach. This new chapter in his career, however, suggests that Anderson isn’t quite ready to hang up his boots entirely; rather, he seems eager to explore the fast-paced world of T20 cricket.
In stark contrast, England’s star all-rounder, Ben Stokes, is noticeably absent from the list of registered players for the IPL 2025. Stokes had previously chosen to sit out the IPL 2024 season and only made sporadic appearances for the Chennai Super Kings during the IPL 2023 campaign. His exclusion from the 2025 roster raises questions and speculations about his future involvement in one of the world’s premier T20 leagues. It remains to be seen whether Stokes is pursuing other opportunities or perhaps taking a strategic break from the franchise scene.
In addition to Anderson’s surprising debut in the auction pool, several Indian players have confirmed their participation, setting a base price of Rs 2 crore. The lineup includes notable names such as Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Ishan Kishan, 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. These players are expected to draw considerable attention from the franchises, given their track records and contributions to the Indian team.
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Revisiting Anderson’s unexpected bid, the veteran pacer has recently expressed a renewed interest in exploring the shorter formats of the game. During a conversation with the Press Association, Anderson revealed a sense of curiosity that he harbors toward T20 cricket. “There’s definitely a bit of intrigue with the shorter formats because I’ve not played any franchise stuff before. Watching The Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there,” Anderson remarked.
He went on to acknowledge the passage of time since his last T20 outing and the inevitable discussions about his age that will follow. However, Anderson remains confident in his abilities, stating, “I might be in a bit of denial because I’m well aware I won’t play for England again, but I’ve still not made a decision on my actual cricket career… I really feel I’ll be good enough to play that form of cricket.”
Adding another international flavor to the IPL mix, Thomas Draca, an Italian cricketer, has also registered for the auction. The 24-year-old medium pacer recently showcased his skills at the Global T20 Canada while playing for Brampton, and he has been signed by MI Emirates for the upcoming season of the ILT20 in the UAE. Draca’s foray into the IPL auction underscores the league’s growing influence and appeal among cricketers worldwide who wish to compete at the highest levels of the T20 format.
As the auction date draws closer, anticipation and excitement build around these new developments. The inclusion of James Anderson is set to be a headline-grabbing moment, as cricket fans and analysts wait to see how this renowned Test cricket maestro adapts to the electrifying pace and spectacle of the IPL.
