Aakash Chopra picks 5 likely most expensive wicketkeepers in IPL 2025 auction, keeps Jos Buttler at No. 5

Aakash Chopra has picked five likely most expensive wicketkeeper-batters in the IPL 2025 auction. He put England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler at No. 5 on that list.

The IPL 2025 auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh, and Abishek Porel are among the keeper-batters already retained by their respective franchises.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener opined that Buttler could be expensive and might even captain a side in the upcoming season.

"At No. 5, I have got Jos Buttler. I was firstly surprised how Rajasthan let him go. However, since they let him go, he will come into the auction and be very expensive because he brings that skill set to the table. He can also be some team's captain. He is a T20 World Cup-winning captain. He can go till eight to 10 crores," he said (2:05).

Chopra chose Phil Salt as the likely most expensive overseas wicketkeeper-batter.

"At No. 4, I have got Phil Salt. He showed last year that he is an incredible guy. He is dangerous, a game-changer, and can also be consistent on these pitches. His success mantra will be to play on pitches where the ball comes onto the bat," he observed.

Chopra named the Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings as the franchises that might be interested in acquiring Salt's services.

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"I don't think LSG will use the RTM card for him" - Aakash Chopra on KL Rahul

KL Rahul was released by the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Aakash Chopra opined there might be a close fight between Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul as the second-most expensive wicketkeeper-batter. The cricketer-turned-commentator doesn't see the Lucknow Super Giants using the Right To Match card for Rahul.

"At No. 3, I am slightly split. It could be either Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul. KL Rahul will come first in the marquee list, so there might be aggressive bidding for him. Since RCB need him, he might go there. It could be 15 to 18 crores. KL Rahul is going to demand a lot of attraction although I have kept him at No. 3 for now. I don't think LSG will use the RTM card for him," he said (4:55) in the same video.

"At No. 2, you might have guessed it already, Ishan Kishan. People are saying that his stars have gone down but he will be favored by many teams. He is a left-hander, opener, proven, and will be hungry to prove himself one more time. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul can go up and down between No. 2 and No. 3," Chopra added.

Chopra reckons Rishabh Pant will undoubtedly be the costliest wicketkeeper-batter at the IPL 2025 auction.

"Last but not the least, Rishabh Pant will be at No. 1. There is no doubt about that because he is that sort of player. You will get very few keepers who bat down the order. I don't think Delhi Capitals will use the RTM card for him. How much money he gets will depend on what's in Punjab's mind," he observed.

Chopra opined that Pant could go for more than ₹25 crore and become the most expensive player in IPL history if the Punjab Kings are interested in acquiring him. He added that the destructive wicketkeeper-batter might be bought for less than ₹18 crore if PBKS don't show interest in him.