Veteran English pacer James Anderson has officially entered the player pool for the IPL 2025 auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His decision to join the auction has surprised many cricket fans, especially since Anderson stepped away from international cricket earlier this year. Following his retirement after England’s first Test match against the West Indies at Lord’s, Anderson transitioned to a coaching role, becoming England’s bowling coach.

Anderson’s base price for the auction is set at INR 1.25 crore, marking his first-ever participation in the popular T20 league. While he boasts an extensive background in Test and ODI formats, having excelled in them over two decades, he has played only 19 T20 internationals. Notably, Anderson has not previously participated in any T20 franchise league, as Test cricket was always his top priority.

In contrast, fellow English player Ben Stokes has opted out of this year’s IPL. Stokes, aiming to concentrate on his Test career, will not be eligible for the next mini-auction under the newly introduced regulations.

Anderson concluded his international career with a record-breaking 991 wickets in 401 matches, making him the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways with precision, he remains one of the most effective new-ball bowlers in cricket history. However, given his limited experience in T20 cricket, it remains to be seen whether IPL franchises will be interested in securing his services or if they’ll overlook him due to his inexperience in the shortest format.