Rishabh Pant sets IPL auction record at $3.2 million in Jeddah

Rishabh Pant set a new record as the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, sold for $3.2 million during the auction in Jeddah. This surpassed the previous record of $2.98 million paid for Mitchell Starc in 2023. Shreyas Iyer was also acquired for $3.17 million, breaking the record before Pant's sale. Other notable purchases included Jos Buttler for $1.87 million and Mohammed Shami for $1.18 million. The IPL auction, held abroad for the second consecutive year, aims to expand the tournament's global reach. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a destination for major sporting events, despite criticism regarding its human rights record.