Indian openers are among the most important members of an IPL XI.
No matter how much a team invests in foreign players, an IPL XI will always be strong when it has quality Indian players in every department. It has been one of the features of all the IPL winning teams over the years.
So, when the IPL 2025 mega auction arrives, the focus will once again be on strengthening the Indian department. Among them will be the first, as almost every team needs one or both quality players at the top, and if they get Indian players in this section, they can use the valuable foreign position in other important areas.
In the same vein, we look at five quality Indian players who will fetch the highest amount in the IPL 2025 auction.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul may have struggled to match the pace with the league standard, but he is still a solid player who is equally capable of coping with pace and spin. He can open the innings and if he solves his intent problem, he will be the winner of the match for either team.
Given that he also offers a captaincy option and keeps wickets, franchises will again be willing to spend a huge amount to include him in their side. It will not be surprising if he is ranked first among the highest earning players in the IPL 2025 auction.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer might have batted in the middle order for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season, but he has also shown credentials at the top. He is a solid pace player who can utilize his power game by finding regular openings and providing quick starts.
Additionally, his game against spin is decent, as he is not restricted and can maneuver well on the field. Since he also brings the LHB dimension to the batting unit, Venkatesh will be in high demand.
Also Read: KKR crowned champions again! Big news ahead of IPL 2025 auction
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan may not have had a great spell with Mumbai Indians (MI), but his quality is well known. He is a dynamic hitter who is tough on pace and can maximize the power play by putting pressure on speedsters.
Furthermore, he also offers a wicket-keeping option and is quite secure behind the stumps, making him a complete package. He was the most expensive player in the previous mega auction and could start a bidding war again and get a huge amount.
Prithvi Shaw
Like Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw also did not have a great last cycle as he failed to make strides regularly. However, he is still among the most aggressive batsmen who like to play their shots from the first ball, making him an exciting pick.
He is stern against anything off-tempo early in the innings and hits the spinners at will in the middle overs. Therefore, Shaw will be on the radar of teams looking for solid Indian openers and can also be a long-term investment for any franchise.
Atharva Taide
Atharva Taide may seem like an odd name on this list, but he is among the most exciting young players in the country. He has a solid pace of play and can take them on with a willingness to use the restrictions on the field.
Furthermore, his spin game is also decent and constantly improving, and with age on his side, Taide will improve in this aspect. Therefore, several teams will focus on him as he will be a long-term investment, which can significantly increase his price.
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