IPL Auction 2025: Not KL Rahul! Irfan Pathan bets on this India star to shatter Mitchell Starc's record

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan made a bold prediction about Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Starc ahead of the much-awaited IPL 2025 mega auction slated for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The upcoming mega auction will feature some of the biggest names in world cricket, including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Mitchell Starc, and Kagiso Rabada. They are all expected to attract massive bids at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Saudi Arabia.

But among the star-studded roster, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to make the most noise on the table at the upcoming high-stakes IPL 2025 mega auction, according to former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.

Irfan Pathan predicts Rishabh Pant to shatter IPL auction record in Jeddah

The former World Cup winner has predicted that Rishabh Pant will not only break the bank at the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction but will also surpass Australian speedster Mitchell Starc to become the most expensive player in IPL history.

Notably, Mitchell Starc was snapped up by the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), for a record-breaking INR 24.75 crore in last year’s mini-auction, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.

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Starc is currently the most expensive player in IPL history, but Irfan Pathan is adamant that Pant will overtake the Australian pacer and set a new benchmark at the auction. Well, Pant and Starc both are currently preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, starting with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The left-handed batter has been in sublime form with the bat and behind the stumps in all three formats of the game ever since he made a comeback following his horrific car accident in December 2022.

Rishabh Pant to break Mitchell Starc's record in IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Irfan Pathan

With his explosive batting, leadership potential, and impressive track record across the formats, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in the upcoming mega auction. The IPL mega auction is set to see intense bidding wars, but it’s Pant’s name that is expected to dominate the headlines and etch his name into IPL history.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Irfan Pathan predicted that Mitchell Starc’s record at the IPL auction is in danger, as Rishabh Pant is set to rewrite the history at the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The former all-rounder feels former Delhi Capitals (DC) captain will break the bank and will fetch over INR 25 Crore at the upcoming mega auction later this month.

Irfan Pathan posted on X: “Mitchell Starc’s auction record is in danger. @RishabhPant17 is ready to break it.”

Mitchell Starc’s auction record is in danger. @RishabhPant17 is ready to break it!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 18, 2024

Rishabh Pant's T20 career highlights in short

However, Rishabh Pant's T20I career has seen much success, as he has only 1,209 runs to his name in 76 matches at a modest average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 128, including just three half-centuries. However, his overall T20 record is much more impressive.

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Across 202 T20 matches, the left-handed batter has amassed 5,022 runs at an average of 31.78 and a strike rate of over 145, along with two centuries and 25 half-centuries to his name so far.

In the IPL, Pant has been a mainstay for Delhi Capitals (DC) since his debut in 2016. In overall 110 IPL matches, Pant has scored 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31, including a century and 18 half-centuries.