Who Is Mallika Sagar? IPL 2025 Jeddah Mega Auction Host

Mallika Sagar is set to oversee the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The event will take place on November 24 and 25. Mallika, who previously conducted the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction, succeeded Hugh Edmeades as the auctioneer for the 2024 IPL edition. Her extensive experience spans over two decades, making her a seasoned professional in this field.

Before her involvement with WPL and IPL, Mallika also managed the eighth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) auction. Her role as the first female auctioneer for IPL last year marked a significant milestone, as previous auctions were led by men like Richard Madley, Hugh Edmeades, and Charu Sharma. This year's event continues her association with IPL.

Franchises Prepare for Auction

All franchises are gearing up for this crucial two-day event to build their squads for the upcoming IPL cycle starting in 2025. With retentions completed, teams are now conducting trials in India to finalise their potential shortlists or wishlists for the auction. Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians have already held trials.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Supergiants are expected to conduct theirs after the current Ranji Trophy round concludes on November 16. These preparations are vital as teams aim to secure top talent from a pool of registered players.

Player Registration and Auction Details

A total of 1574 players have registered for this mega auction. The list will be narrowed down before presenting names to the ten teams in Jeddah. Each franchise can include up to 25 players in their squad, with 204 slots available during this two-day event.

The player pool includes several high-profile Indian cricketers such as Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. These players are likely to draw significant interest from franchises seeking leadership options or key additions to their line-ups.

This year's auction promises excitement as teams strategise to assemble competitive squads for IPL 2025. With Mallika Sagar at the helm once again, expectations are high for a smooth and successful bidding process that will shape team rosters for the next season.