The IPL 2025 auction in Saudi Arabia brought great pride to Jammu and Kashmir as four of its cricketers were sold to top franchises, marking another milestone in the region’s growing cricketing legacy.
Rasikh Salam, the standout performer, was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for an impressive ₹6 crore. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, Rasikh has previously played for franchises like Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. His inclusion is expected to bolster RCB’s fast-bowling lineup.
Abdul Samad, an all-rounder, was signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹4.2 crore. After three seasons with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Samad will be eager to prove his mettle with his new team.
Pace sensation Umran Malik, famous for his blistering 150 km/h deliveries, joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for his base price of ₹75 lakh. Umran has been a consistent performer in previous IPL editions and is set to strengthen KKR’s bowling attack.
All-rounder Yudhvir Singh was also picked by RCB, securing a deal worth ₹35 lakh. Yudhvir, who debuted in the IPL with Lucknow Super Giants in 2023, expressed his excitement and readiness to make an impact.
This year’s auction featured 14 players from J&K, but 10 remained unsold. Despite this, the J&K continues to be a growing talent hub, with several players like Parvez Rasool, Manzoor Pandav, and Vivrant Sharma making a mark in past IPL seasons.
The selected players now have a golden opportunity to showcase their skills on the biggest stage and inspire the next generation of cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir.
