Small Price, Huge Impact: Smartest Investment Of Each Franchise In IPL 2025

Debashis Sarangi

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was one of the finest finds [Source: AP]Vaibhav Suryavanshi was one of the finest finds [Source: AP]

The IPL 2025 is all set to enter its business end, with the four best teams in the group stage gearing up for the playoffs. While RCB will take on PBKS in qualifier 1, Gujarat Titans will lock horns with Mumbai Indians in the eliminator. 

The group stage of the tournament witnessed several game-changing performances. While legendary figures like Virat Kohli shone brightly, some low-budget picks stepped up to the occasion, making them the smartest buys this season. 

MI - Ryan Rickelton (1 Crore)

  • Mumbai Indians released Ishan Kishan and smartly roped in Ryan Rickelton to their squad in last year's mega auction. 
  • Rickelton was purchased for his base price of INR 1 crore, but made a mark in the tournament, emerging as MI's second most successful batter in the group stage with 388 runs in 14 innings at a blistering strike rate of 150.97. 

CSK - Ayush Mhatre (30 Lakhs)

  • Swashbuckling young batter Ayush Mhatre was called up to the trials by CSK amid Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury. The five-time champions wasted no time, instantly drafting him into their setup as Gaikwad's replacement. 
  • The youngster sealed his spot as an opener, hammering 240 runs in seven innings at an average of 34.29 and a strike rate of 188.98. He performed admirably this year and presented a strong case for his retention ahead of the next season.  

RCB - Devdutt Padikkal (2 Crores)

Devdutt Padikkal in action [Source: AP]Devdutt Padikkal in action [Source: AP]

  • While RCB purchased several high-budget picks, namely Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone, their smartest buy was Devdutt Padikkal, who emerged as one of their prolific batters in the tournament. 
  • Padikkal was bought for a price of 2 Crores and struck 247 runs at a blistering strike rate of 150.61. He formed the backbone of the RCB batting unit with Virat Kohli before an unfortunate injury sidelined him from the competition.  

KKR - Ajinkya Rahane (1.6 Crores)

  • Kolkata Knight Riders introduced significant changes to their leadership group, replacing Shreyas Iyer with Ajinkya Rahane as the captain. 
  • Although some of their auction buys backfired on the defending champions, Rahane was one of the rare shining lights. The Mumbaikar was KKR's best batter this season, piling up 390 runs at an average of 35.45 and a strike rate of 147.73 while his cost was only 1.6 crores. 

RR - Vaibhav Suryavanshi (1.10 Crores)

  • 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi is undoubtedly RR's representative on the list. The explosive southpaw formed a dynamic opening pair with Yashasvi Jaiswal, as the duo set the stage on fire. 
  • An unfortunate injury to Sanju Samson forced RR to unleash Suryavanshi, who finished the group stage with 252 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 206.56. He was bagged for a price of 1.10 crores but secured his spot as an opener ahead of the next season. 

DC - Vipraj Nigam (50 lakhs)

  • Young all-rounder Vipraj Nigam was one of the auction masterclasses by Delhi Capitals. The franchise invested only 50 lakhs in him, while the spin-bowling all-rounder passed the IPL challenge with flying colours. 
  • Apart from scoring 142 runs at a strike rate of 179.75, Nigam showed his potential with the ball, scalping eleven wickets. 

PBKS - Priyansh Arya (3.8 Crores)

Priyansh Arya has been impressive for PBKS [Source: AP]Priyansh Arya has been impressive for PBKS [Source: AP]

  • Punjab Kings massively benefitted from the presence of Priyansh Arya, whom they bagged at a price of 3.8 crores. 
  • PBKS showed trust in the youngster, who stepped up to the occasion, amassing 424 runs in 14 innings at an average of 30.29 and a strike rate of 183.55. 

LSG - Digvesh Rathi (30 lakhs)

  • Although LSG couldn't qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs, they found a gem in Digvesh Rathi, whom they can groom as their first-choice spinner for the upcoming seasons. 
  • Rathi, who became famous for his trademark notebook celebration, was purchased at his base price of 30 lakhs and finished the tournament as LSG's most successful bowler.  

GT - Sherfane Rutherford (2.60 Crores)

  • West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford was released by KKR before Gujarat Titans signed him for INR 2.60 crores. 
  • The southpaw exhibited remarkable consistency for GT, acting like a bridge between their anchors and the finishers. Overall, he has struck 267 runs in ten innings at a strike rate of 157.

SRH - Aniket Verma (base price 30 lakhs)

  • With Travis Head and Ishan Kishan blowing hot and cold, SRH found a new hero in Aniket Verma.
  • The Madhya Pradesh batter was purchased at a price of only 30 lakhs but made a significant impact for SRH in the IPL 2025. Overall, he hammered 236 runs in 12 innings at a superb strike rate of 166.20, forming a fearsome finishing duo with Heinrich Klaasen. 
  • He will be an integral member of the SRH batting unit and can certainly be one of their players to watch out for next season.