James Anderson, one of England’s most celebrated fast bowlers, made headlines this year by registering for the IPL 2025 mega auction after retiring from international cricket. Known for his dominance in Test cricket, Anderson had never participated in the IPL during his playing days. At 42 years old, the legendary pacer hoped to make his IPL debut post-retirement. However, to the surprise of many, his name was conspicuously absent from the auction proceedings, ending his IPL aspirations abruptly.
The Oldest Player to Register for the IPL Auction
By entering the IPL auction, Anderson became the oldest player ever to register. If purchased, he would have held the title of the oldest player to be sold in IPL history. But this milestone remained unachieved. Despite his registration, Anderson's name did not make it into the final auction pool. On the second day of bidding, when 10 teams picked 143 players from the remaining 557-player list, Anderson’s name was missing. This exclusion left fans and analysts puzzled. Interestingly, Anderson wasn’t the only notable absentee; New Zealand's Kane Williamson also didn’t feature in the final list.
A 15-Year Hiatus from T20 Cricket
Anderson last played a T20 match 15 years ago, having shifted his focus entirely to Test cricket to prolong his career. Although he retired from shorter formats early, Anderson expressed interest in the IPL to gain firsthand experience that could aid his ambitions as a future coach.
Continuing His Impact in Cricket
Currently, Anderson is in New Zealand, mentoring the England cricket team during their Test series. As England’s bowling mentor, he remains actively involved in the sport. Even at 42, Anderson holds remarkable records, including 704 wickets in 188 Test matches—making him third on the list of all-time highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.
Anderson’s absence from the IPL has sparked debate, but his legacy as a cricketing icon remains untouchable. Could his journey into the IPL still be on the cards someday? Only time will tell.
