In an unexpected turn of events, James Anderson, the former England pace bowler renowned for his record-breaking achievements in Test cricket, has announced his registration for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auctions. Anderson, who bid farewell to his illustrious Test career just months ago following an electrifying series against the West Indies, has chosen to explore new horizons by entering the world of franchise T20 cricket. Remarkably, this marks Anderson’s inaugural foray into the IPL, a competition that has captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide for over a decade.
Although Anderson has hung up his boots in the longest format of the game, his interest in the limited-overs format remains alive. He has set his base price at Rs 1.25 crores, making a bold statement of intent for a player who last showcased his skills in a T20 match more than a decade ago. Cricket aficionados may recall Anderson’s previous T20 appearance when he represented Lancashire in the NatWest T20 Blast against Warwickshire. Since then, T20 cricket has evolved exponentially, and Anderson’s decision seems to indicate his eagerness to adapt and excel in this dynamic version of the sport.
After retiring from Test cricket, Anderson seamlessly transitioned into a coaching role, taking charge as the bowling coach for England. Under his guidance, the English pace attack has aspired to reach greater heights, benefiting immensely from Anderson’s vast reservoir of experience and expertise. Nevertheless, his unexpected registration for the IPL auctions has fuelled excitement and speculation about his potential impact on the tournament and various franchise teams.
In stark contrast to Anderson’s headline-making move, Ben Stokes, England’s cricketing luminary and a versatile all-rounder, is conspicuously absent from the list of registered players for the IPL 2025 auctions. Stokes, who elected to skip the 2024 tournament, only managed to participate sporadically in IPL 2023, representing Chennai Super Kings. His absence has raised several questions, leaving fans and pundits curious about his future involvement in cricket’s most glamorous T20 league.
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On the domestic front, the IPL 2025 auctions will feature several of India’s prominent cricketers who have set their sights on securing lucrative deals. Speedsters like Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, and Avesh Khan, alongside skilled batsmen like Ishan Kishan and Devdutt Padikkal, have each pegged their base price at Rs 2 crore. These players, known for their impactful performances in the domestic and international circuits, are poised to attract significant interest from franchises seeking to bolster their squads.
Returning to James Anderson, the seasoned bowler previously expressed a keen interest in exploring shorter formats upon retiring from Test commitments. In a candid conversation with the Press Association, Anderson acknowledged his persistent fascination with limited-overs cricket. He admitted, “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. I know it’s a while since I played it, and my age will get brought up again, but I really feel I’ll be good enough to play that form of cricket.”
Anderson’s potential debut in the IPL has generated considerable buzz, with fans eager to witness the mastery of his swing and his competitive edge in high-stakes matches. The IPL 2025 is set to be a platform where seasoned campaigners, emerging talents, and dynamic international players converge, creating an electrifying spectacle for cricket lovers around the globe.
Interestingly, reports from ESPNCricinfo have revealed that an Italian pacer named Thomas Draca has also registered for the upcoming auctions. Draca, a promising 24-year-old bowler, garnered attention while playing in the Global T20 Canada for Brampton and was recently signed by MI Emirates for the ILT20 season in the UAE.
As anticipation builds for the IPL 2025 mega auctions, the cricketing fraternity waits in earnest to see which franchises place their bets on the celebrated James Anderson and other talented hopefuls vying for a chance to shine on this glittering stage.
