Potentially high-earning veterans in IPL 2025 mega-auction

With the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction approaching, teams are finalizing their strategies for player acquisitions. The two-day mega-auction has forced franchises to release key players, including some veterans. It may be challenging for older players to secure a spot on a team as franchises are looking towards long-term planning. However, there are a few seasoned players who could fetch a hefty sum at the auction, proving that age is merely a number for them.

Faf du Plessis (40 years old): The former South African captain retired from Test cricket in 2021 and played his last ODI and T20I in 2019 and 2020 respectively. However, he seems to have completely changed his approach to T20I batting in the years since and finished his last two IPL campaigns with strike rates higher than in any of his previous 10 seasons. Du Plessis led Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 2022 to 2024 after Virat Kohli resigned but they have chosen to not retain him this season. It doesn't look like RCB will go back for him either but other teams wouldn't want to let go of a batter who finished the 2023 season 153.68 in 14 matches and the 2024 season with 161.62 in 15 matches.

David Warner (38 years old): An IPL legend, David Warner's stock hasn't quite hit the highs ever since he left the Sunrisers Hyderabad after the 2021 season. His strike rates were in the 130s at the end of the 2024 and 2023 seasons for the Delhi Capitals. However, Warner no retired from all forms of international cricket this year which means that he could be quite fresh going into the 2025 IPL season. As seen previously with Du Plessis and with AB de Villiers, Warner could get back to striking fast with the necessity to adapt to different formats now off his shoulders. It would be quite a surprise if there is only a short bidding war for the former Australia opener.

Mitchell Starc (34 years old): It is sometimes easy to forget that Mitchell Starc is 34 years old. The pacer continues to be a vital cog for Australia in all formats. Starc and his Australia captain Pat Cummins made headlines after KKR and SRH respectively shattered records to acquire them in the 2023 auction. While Starc played an integral role for KKR in the playoffs and the final as they won their first IPL title in a decade, he was quite poor in the league stage which may have played a role in him not being retained. However, he will surely remain in high demand.

Ravichandran Ashwin (38 years old): Ashwin is among the most experienced players even among the older lot of star names in the auction, having made 212 appearances in the IPL since 2009. His prowess as a spinner remains unparalleled and he is also a very handy lower-order batter. On top of it all, Ashwin also possesses one of the sharpest minds in the game. Virat Kohli unbeaten 82 is what is remembered the most when speaking about India's thrilling win against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG but it was Ashwin calmly leaving the last ball and lettin it go for a wide and then lifting the next delivery over the infield that took India over the line.

Mohammad Nabi (39 years old): Mumbai Indians had to let go of the Afghanistan great but there is a very good chance of the franchise going back in for him. Nabi's best days are certainly behind him but he remains a very effective all-rounder. Moreover, he is a sharp fielder despite his age. Nabi remains a very useful tool to have in the shed and it will be a surprise if he gets sold after only a short bidding war.