IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Why Jitesh Sharma Fetched More Money Than Quinton de Kock?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Jitesh Sharma and Quinton de Kock [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @mandhana09/x.com]Jitesh Sharma and Quinton de Kock [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @mandhana09/x.com]

The IPL 2025 mega auction is pulling out some surprises. Some of the players are have fetched record prices while some top players went unsold during the event.

The difference between the price of two players surprised the whole fandom. It was that of Jitesh Sharma and Quinton de Kock. While Jitesh Sharma was bought for INR 11 Cr, the South African keeper batter, Quinton de Kock was bought for INR 3.6 Cr by KKR.

The difference between the price of the two players was about INR 7.4 Cr. Although the experience of Quinton de Kock is more than Sharma and he has better reputation in the cricketing circuit, there might be a few justifications behind Jitesh being sold costlier than QDK.

1. Indian Factor

The fact that Jitesh Sharma is an Indian is the prime reason that he fetched more money than Quinton de Kock. Loading your team with overseas players does not make sense as you can include only for overseas players in your final playing 12. This was the prime reason that Jitesh Sharma fetched more price than Quinton de Kock.

2. Finisher For The Team

Jitesh Sharma has established himself as a proper finisher in the last few years. Although, Quinton de Kock is an experienced and a match winning opener, the teams were probably looking for Indian options for the top spot. Also the fact that RCB has suffered from the lack of fire power in the middle-order, previously pushed them to stay in the bidding war. Thus Sharma's price soared during the auction.

On the other hand, with most of the IPL teams sorted with their opening slots, the bidding war for de Kock did not stretch for long. This was one of the prime reasons that Quinton de Kock fetched a lesser price than Jitesh Sharma.