James Anderson reveals why he registered for IPL auction: ‘I can still play’

Former England fast bowler James Anderson opened up about his decision to register for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. The 42-year-old was a surprise name in the long list of registered players announced by the BCCI on Tuesday, November 5. Anderson has set a base price of Rs 1.25 crore.

It was the first time James Anderson had expressed interest in playing the IPL since the league’s inception in 2008. The decision has helped raise eyebrows as it came months after he retired from Test cricket. Anderson worked with the coaching staff of the England Test team, as their fast bowling consultant, in their home summer and their overseas tour of Pakistan.

“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,” Anderson said in a BBC Radio 4 Today podcast.

The 42-year-old had maintained that he was ready to play Test for a couple more seasons and that he did not have a lot of say in the decision to retire as the England team management had made it clear at the start of the season that were planning to move on.

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Anderson played 19 T20 internationals for England between 2007 and 2009 and last played a T20 match in 2014 for Warwickshire in Birmingham.

The all-time leading wicket-taker for England in Test cricket said getting an IPL contract and being part of one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world will help him understand the game better and in turn help his coaching credentials.

“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,” Anderson added.

As many as 1574 players registered for the IPL mega auction, which will be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25. The long list is expected to be pruned as franchises will be able to fill a maximum with 204 slots.