While it is often the players paid for with big bucks that make all the headlines, every season the Indian Premier League witnesses some extraordinary performances from some of the lesser-known players and bargain buys at the auction table.
After the conclusion of yet another exhilarating season of drama, suspension, and nail-biting action, here we look at some of the best budget buys of the 2025 IPL season.
#5 Digvesh Singh Rathi | INR 30 lakh
Matches: 13 | Wickets: 14 | Economy rate: 8.25
This left-field buy came out of nowhere. With no prior domestic records and just one strong Delhi Premier League performance to his name, not many knew what to expect from Digvesh Rathi. Heading into the 2025 IPL season, hardly anyone had heard of him, and there were no real expectations about his involvement this year.
But what he has delivered has been nothing short of remarkable. In 13 games, Rathi took 14 wickets while maintaining a steady economy rate of 8.25 — a strong stat considering he bowled in pressure scenarios for most of the season. He stepped up when senior bowlers were sidelined and gave the Lucknow Super Giants crucial breakthroughs.
Rathi’s ability to keep batters guessing and consistently deliver under pressure has been the standout feature of his debut campaign. He managed to outshine a bona fide Indian national team bowler in Ravi Bishnoi. Another consistent season in LSG colours will definitely have the selectors looking in his direction.
#4 Ryan Rickelton | INR 1 crore
Matches: 14 | Runs: 388 | Strike rate: 151
The South African wicketkeeper-batter was another relatively unknown quantity when the Mumbai Indians picked him up quietly at base price during the 2025 Mega Auction. However, his performances since — both for his national team and MI — have spoken volumes about the incredible scouting work done by the MI management.
Rickelton scored 388 runs in 14 matches this IPL season, including three half-centuries at a strike rate of 150+. While it was a steady campaign, one aspect of his game he will want to improve is his habit of throwing away his wicket after a decent start. In six instances, he was dismissed against the run of play after scoring 20 or more runs.
However, Rickelton was also responsible for injecting early momentum into MI’s innings. His Powerplay aggression set the tone, and his composure against spin and pace alike showed his international pedigree. While MI would feel 2025 was a missed opportunity, in Rickelton they’ve found an opener who can be relied upon at least for the next three to four seasons.
#3 Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore | INR 2 crore
Matches: 15 | Wickets: 19 | Economy rate: 9.25
There has always been a lot of hype around Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore in the domestic T20 circuit. However, it never translated into anything substantial, with opportunities in the biggest T20 league of all hard to come by.
But when your lead spinner is out of form, most teams panic. With Rashid Khan struggling throughout the season, the Gujarat Titans found an unlikely deputy in Sai Kishore. The left-arm spinner picked up 19 wickets in 15 games at an economy rate of 9.25, showcasing control and maturity.
What has been particularly impressive is how Sai Kishore took on the responsibility of bowling the death overs — and delivered remarkable results. His subtle variations, calm demeanour, and guile in the middle overs produced several game-changing moments. As a result, he is now regarded as one of the most reliable Indian spinners in the league.
#2 Aiden Markram | INR 2 crore
Matches: 13 | Runs: 445 | Strike rate: 148.8 | Wickets: 4
This South African middle-order batter turned out to be a massive find for the Lucknow Super Giants. Having signed for LSG at the base price of INR 2 crore, the 30-year-old delivered a brilliant campaign despite the franchise’s slump in form towards the back end of the season.
Markram had a new role this season: opening the batting. And it proved to be a masterstroke. After a scratchy start, he became rock solid at the top, scoring 445 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate nearing 150, including five fluent fifties. He also turned out to be a valuable asset with the ball, with his part-time off-spin bagging him four crucial wickets.
The veteran South African was the engine behind many of LSG’s fast starts and complemented Mitchell Marsh at the top brilliantly. His intent in the Powerplay as well as his ability to anchor or accelerate based on the situation made him indispensable to LSG. For someone available at base price, Markram went on to deliver like a marquee signing.
#1 Mitchell Marsh | INR 3.4 crore
Matches: 13 | Runs: 627 | Strike rate: 163.7
The 33-year-old Australian all-rounder has to be the signing of the season. Before the 2025 season, Marsh had a forgettable career graph in the IPL, having made his debut in 2010. From then till 2024, he had played just 36 IPL matches with 665 runs and three fifties against his name at a below-average strike rate of 127.63.
So, no one was ready for what was to come this season. Alongside Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran, Marsh formed one of the most deadly opening trios in the IPL. On the individual front as well, it turned out to be a season to remember.
In 13 matches, Marsh — who was also returning from a back injury and wasn’t allowed to bowl at all this season — scored 627 runs at an astonishing strike-rate of 163.7. While everyone knew he possessed this ruthless streak in him, none had seen it in the IPL. Making him open the batting alongside a steady head in Markram proved to be yet another brilliant move by the LSG management.
The fact that Mitchell Marsh will be able to bowl from next season is an added bonus, and one that unquestionably makes him the best budget buy of this season.
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