James Anderson, the England’s fast bowling legend, has taken the cricketing world by surprise by registering for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Despite retiring from international cricket earlier this year, Anderson, at the age of 42, has expressed a strong desire to continue his cricketing journey.
With a base price of INR 1.25 crores, he aims to make his debut in one of the most coveted T20 leagues in the world. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, marks Anderson’s first-ever attempt to participate in the IPL, a league he has never featured in throughout his illustrious career.
Michael Vaughan’s bold prediction for James Anderson in IPL 2025
In an intriguing prediction, former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be the ideal destination for Anderson in the 2025 IPL season. On the Club Prairie Fire Podcast with icons like Adam Gilchrist, Vaughan shared his insight into CSK’s need for a bowler with Anderson’s attributes.
“You mention James Anderson, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai Super Kings. You heard it here first. They are a team that like someone who can swing it in the first few overs. They had a swinger, be it Shardul Thakur. It would not surprise me if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai,” Vaughan said.
CSK have had a tradition of success with overseas bowlers capable of utilizing swing in the powerplay, such as Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus and Josh Hazlewood. Anderson’s ability to swing the ball and create early breakthroughs fits perfectly with CSK’s bowling philosophy. This could be an exciting opportunity for CSK to bolster their squad with a pacer who has a wealth of experience and could make a significant impact in the first few overs of the game.
Also READ: IPL 2025 : ‘Whatever you like to call..’ – James Anderson explains his decision to register for mega auction
Limited T20I experience yet resilient in other formats
Although Anderson’s impact in T20 cricket has been limited compared to his Test success, he has still shown his worth when called upon. In 19 T20I appearances for England, Anderson has claimed 18 wickets at an average of 30.66, with his best bowling figures of 3/23 showcasing his capability in the shortest format. His T20 career also spans 44 domestic matches, where he has picked up 41 wickets at an average of 32.14, with his best T20 figures matching his T20I performance.
Despite his limited exposure to T20 leagues, his experience in the fast-paced format remains valuable. Anderson’s last T20I appearance came in 2009, and his most recent T20 match was for Lancashire in the 2014 NatWest T20 Blast. Though he has not been part of any major T20 leagues, his consistency in Tests and domestic cricket suggests he could offer something unique to an IPL team.