Which Hyderabad cricketers made it to IPL 2025? Find out here!
Hyderabad: Do you know which Hyderabadis have been featured in the IPL 2025 auction? The two-day event, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, saw impressive deals for players from Hyderabad, Telangana. As the auction concluded, two local cricketers secured major contracts, continuing the city’s strong presence in the Indian Premier League. Here’s a look at the Hyderabad-born players who caught the attention of IPL franchises this year.
Tilak Varma retained by Mumbai Indians for ₹8 crore
Namboori Thakur Tilak Varma, the left-handed batsman and part-time off-spinner, was retained by Mumbai Indians for a whopping ₹8 crore. The 22-year-old cricketer made his international debut for India in August 2023 during a T20I match against the West Indies and was part of the Indian squad that won the 2023 Asia Cup.
Born on November 8, 2002, in Hyderabad, Tilak Varma’s journey to the IPL began at a young age. Discovered at just 11 years old while playing tennis ball cricket, he was trained under coach Salim Bayash at the Legala Cricket Academy. Tilak Varma plays for Hyderabad in domestic cricket and has established himself as a key player for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Siraj joins Gujarat Titans for ₹12.25 crore
Mohammed Siraj, the fast bowler from Hyderabad, was bought by Gujarat Titans for ₹12.25 crore. Siraj, who previously represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has been one of India’s standout bowlers in recent years. He was named Player of the Match in the 2023 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, showcasing his skill and composure on the big stage.
Born on March 13, 1994, Siraj’s rise to fame was unconventional. He started playing club cricket at 19 and made a name for himself with his fiery pace. His breakthrough came in 2017 when he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹2.6 crore in the IPL. He later moved to RCB, where he achieved the rare feat of bowling two consecutive maiden overs in a single match in 2020. In addition to his cricketing career, Siraj was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Hyderabad in October 2024.
Nitish Kumar Reddy retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹6 crore
Nitish Kumar Reddy, a rising cricketer from Visakhapatnam, was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹6 crore. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had been bought by Sunrisers for ₹20 lakh in the 2023 IPL auction, has been a standout performer in domestic cricket.
Nitish Kumar Reddy made his first-class debut for Andhra in January 2020 and his List A debut in February 2021. His consistent performances in domestic cricket led to his T20I debut in October 2024. Just recently, he made his Test debut for India during the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
