A remarkable 1,574 players from around the world have signed up for the highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction, set to unfold over two days: November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Out of the 409 overseas players eyeing a spot in this year’s IPL, one unexpected entry that has drawn everyone’s attention is the former England legendary Test bowler, 42-year-old James Anderson. The legendary English bowler, who retired in July this year, has entered the IPL auction for the first time in his storied career, setting his base price at INR 1.25 crore. Also Read: Rain Theats Looms Over The India vs South Africa First T20I Match James Anderson's last T20 appearance was in 2014 with Warwickshire, but the English cricketer sees the IPL as a unique chance to advance his coaching expertise. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today podcast, Anderson revealed that this desire for growth was the real reason behind his registration in the IPL mega auction. In a conversation with BBC Radio 4’c Today Podcast, Anderson said: “There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it, and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player.” He further said: “I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring, or whatever you like to call it. I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line.” Watch the video here: Cricketer Jimmy Anderson, who some might call the greatest bowler of all time, retired from test cricket in the summer with a record 704 wickets.@amolrajan asks him why he's now decided to register to play in the Indian Premier League 🏏#R4Today pic.twitter.com/FQzRCjwKsQ — BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) November 7, 2024 James Anderson, now in his role as England’s bowling coach, is setting his sights on an IPL debut.