All-rounder Atharva Ankolekar emerged as the most expensive player at the T20 Mumbai League 2025 auction, with the Eagle Thane Strikers securing his services for a whopping ₹16.25 lakh. The third season of the league, scheduled from May 26 to June 8 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, saw eight franchises spend a combined ₹7.79 crore in a high-stakes bidding war on Wednesday.
Over 280 players went under the hammer as franchises raced to build competitive 18-member squads, balancing experience with emerging local talent. A clear trend emerged in favour of all-rounders, with Musheer Khan (ARCS Andheri) and Sairaj Patil (Eagle Thane Strikers) both commanding ₹15 lakh deals.
Among the other top buys were Ayush Mhatre, who impressed during IPL 2025 and was picked up by Triumph Knights Mumbai North East for ₹14.75 lakh, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who went to SoBo Mumbai Falcons for ₹14 lakh. Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (Aakash Tigers) matched Raghuvanshi’s price tag at ₹14 lakh, rounding off the marquee signings.
From the development players’ pool, Akash Parkar stood out by drawing a significant ₹11.25 lakh bid from SoBo Mumbai Falcons — over five times his base price of ₹2 lakh.
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) President Ajinkya Naik hailed the auction’s outcome, noting the mix of youth and experience. “It’s truly encouraging to see emerging players gain recognition. The strategic approach of the teams reflects their commitment to building strong squads and supporting the league’s vision,” Naik said.
The auction also drew attendance from India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who serves as the Icon Player for Triumph Knights. He lauded the tournament’s impact on player development. “T20 Mumbai League has always been a stepping stone. You saw what it did for Shivam Dube in 2018. It’s a big boost for state-level cricketers,” he said.
Ankolekar, the auction’s biggest name, expressed his delight at joining the Strikers. “It’s a big moment. I’m thankful to the team and MCA for this platform. I look forward to learning from seniors like Shardul Thakur and giving my best in my debut season,” he said.
The league continues its tradition of featuring prominent Mumbai-based cricketers as Icon Players, including Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Shardul Thakur, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, and Shivam Dube alongside Yadav.
Top Buys at T20 Mumbai League 2025 Auction:
- Atharva Ankolekar – ₹16.25 lakh (Eagle Thane Strikers)
- Musheer Khan – ₹15 lakh (ARCS Andheri)
- Sairaj Patil – ₹15 lakh (Eagle Thane Strikers)
- Ayush Mhatre – ₹14.75 lakh (Triumph Knights Mumbai North East)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi – ₹14 lakh (SoBo Mumbai Falcons)
- Shams Mulani – ₹14 lakh (Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs)
Season Dates: May 26 – June 8
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai