Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has predicted that his compatriot Marco Jansen is set to attract a big payday at the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Mega Auction. This prediction comes after Jansen's impressive performances in the ongoing T20I series against India, where he showcased his all-round capabilities.
Jansen, a left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder, made his IPL debut in 2021 with the Mumbai Indians. In the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 4.20 crore. However, after a challenging season where he struggled to secure a consistent spot in the playing XI, Jansen was released by the franchise ahead of the 2023 season.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad had already retained key players such as skipper Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, leaving no room for an uncapped player, and ultimately not retaining Jansen. However, Jansen’s recent performances have significantly boosted his IPL prospects. Steyn believes that with IPL teams on the lookout for a versatile all-rounder who can bowl with pace and contribute with the bat, Jansen could be in for a significant bid at the mega auction.
In the ongoing T20I series against India, Jansen has proved his worth, particularly with his outstanding knock of 54 off just 17 balls during South Africa’s chase of over 200 runs in the third T20I at SuperSport Park in Centurion. His 54-run cameo, which included five sixes and four fours, nearly helped South Africa to an unlikely victory in what turned out to be a narrow loss. This performance underlined Jansen’s ability to perform under pressure and to provide fireworks in the death overs.
Besides his batting heroics, Jansen has also impressed with the ball. In the series, he has been key in dismissing top-order batsmen, including clean-bowling Indian opener Sanju Samson for two consecutive ducks. In the first T20I, Jansen’s figures of 1/24 in his four overs were vital as he was one of the few South African bowlers who kept things tight, while others struggled to contain the Indian batsmen. In the second T20I, Jansen again bowled well, finishing with 1/25, including a maiden over, showcasing his potential as a key all-rounder in T20 cricket.
Given his form, Jansen is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Teams will be looking for a player like him—someone who can provide crucial breakthroughs with the ball, control the game in the middle overs, and also finish games with his explosive batting. With the IPL continuously evolving and the emphasis on flexibility in the playing XI, Jansen’s all-round skills make him a valuable asset that could fetch him a high price at the auction.
