The IPL 2025 Auction has proved once again that Kiran Gandhi, owner of the Delhi Capitals (DC), is the master of strategy. Known for his savvy bidding tactics, Gandhi and his team were back at it, playing the auction game with precision and flair. As expected, DC made some bold moves, inflating bids for key players, only to land a major coup with Mitchell Starc at a bargain price of Rs 11.75 crore. In a marketplace brimming with high stakes, it was Gandhi’s calculated approach that left the competition in awe.
The IPL 2025 Auction kicked off with intense action as Delhi Capitals immediately signaled their intentions by aggressively bidding for top players. Their first major target was the talented pacer, Arshdeep Singh, whose name came up early. The bidding quickly turned into a battle between DC and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with Kiran Gandhi inflating the price, only to see Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) emerge victorious at ₹15.75 crore. However, Punjab Kings (PBKS) exercised their Right to Match (RTM), pushing the final bid to ₹18 crore, making Arshdeep Singh the highest-priced Indian pacer in IPL history.
Next up was Shreyas Iyer, former KKR captain, who became the center of another intense bidding war. Delhi and PBKS fought it out as the price soared past ₹26 crore. Just when it seemed DC might seal the deal, Gandhi made a quick exit from the bidding war, leaving Punjab to claim their prize at ₹26.75 crore.
But the most stunning move of the day came when Mitchell Starc, one of the world’s best fast bowlers, was up for grabs. While many expected Starc to fetch a hefty price after his record-breaking ₹24.75 crore deal in the previous season, DC swooped in with a surprise bid of ₹11.75 crore. This was a steal for Delhi, especially since Starc’s limited availability in recent seasons had lowered his market value.
Starc’s previous IPL stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw him fetch a monumental ₹24.75 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at the time. However, his absence from several recent seasons, due to national commitments and injuries, meant that he was available at a significantly lower price this time around. Despite his limited appearances, Starc has remained one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the world, with 51 wickets from 41 matches in the IPL at an impressive average of 22.29. His performance for KKR, particularly in key moments such as the Qualifier and Final, highlighted his match-winning capabilities.
Kiran Gandhi’s strategic brilliance in the auction is now a part of IPL folklore, with DC once again showing why they are one of the most astute franchises in the league. By combining calculated inflation tactics with surprise steals, Delhi Capitals have once again proven their ability to make headlines, leaving the other teams scrambling to catch up.