The IPL 2025 auction saw surprising omissions like Prithvi Shaw and David Warner. Despite their skills, these players went unsold due to form, fitness, or tactical preferences. This article highlights a formidable lineup of overlooked stars who remain ready to make a comeback. Discover their journey and challenges.
Best Unsold Players XI from IPL 2025 Auction
The IPL 2025 mega auction concluded in Jeddah, where ten franchises fought strategic battles to secure their ideal squads. Amidst high-profile bidding, several established players shockingly went unsold, sparking debates about their T20 futures. This article highlights a formidable XI of unsold players who still have much to offer.
Shocking Omissions from IPL 2025
Notable names like Prithvi Shaw and David Warner surprisingly failed to attract bids this season. Franchises prioritized emerging talent, value-for-money players, and balanced team composition over high-priced veterans. Factors like recent form, fitness concerns, and declining performances significantly influenced these decisions.
The Best Unsold XI Lineup
- Prithvi Shaw (opener): Known for explosive starts, Shaw’s fitness and consistency remain in question despite his talent.
- Price: INR 75 Lakhs
- Reason for Being Unsold: Shaw’s ongoing struggle with fitness has raised significant concerns. Recently, he was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad because of weight and discipline problems. These standards are required at the professional level. His declining form and fitness contributed to his exclusion from the bidding process during the IPL 2025 auction.
- David Warner (Opener, Captain): An IPL legend Warner’s adaptability and leadership make him an invaluable yet overlooked asset.
- Price: INR 2 crore
- Reason for being unsold: Warner’s performance in the 2024 IPL season was notably poor, as he managed to score only 168 runs in 12 matches. averaging just 14. This significant drop from his previous seasons raised concerns among franchises about his current form and ability to perform at a high level. His last notable season was in 2023, where he scored 516 runs, but the stark decline in 2024 likely influenced teams’ decisions not to bid for him.
At 37 years old, Warner is considered one of the older players in T20 cricket. While age can be just a number for some athletes, T20 demands peak physical fitness and agility. There are growing concerns regarding Warner’s long-term fitness and ability to handle the rigors of a full IPL season. Additionally, with his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, franchises may have questioned his commitment to T20 leagues moving forward.
- Yash Dhull (Top Order): This emerging player’s composure and technique make him a promising anchor for long-term prospects\
- Price: 30 Lakhs
- Reason for being unsold: No franchise showed interest in acquiring him, and he went unsold.
- Daryl Mitchell (all-rounder): Versatile with bat and ball, Mitchell excels under pressure in key middle-order roles.
- Price: 2 crore
- Reason for being unsold: Mitchell had a decent run in the IPL 2024 season, scoring 318 runs in 13 matches, including two half-centuries. However, this was not enough to secure a contract in the 2025 auction. His earlier IPL seasons were less impressive; he played only two matches in 2022 and went unsold in the 2023 auction. Despite showing potential during the ODI World Cup, where he scored 552 runs, his overall IPL track record may have raised concerns among franchises.
- Sarfaraz Khan (Middle Order): A domestic stalwart, his struggles to replicate success in IPL conditions raise adaptability concerns.
- Price:INR 75 lakhs
- Reason for being unsold: Sarfaraz Khan’s unsold status at the IPL 2025 auction surprised many, especially considering his base price was set at just INR 75 lakh. However, his average strike rate in T20 cricket, which stands at 130.58, likely played a significant role in this outcome.
Despite his impressive performances in domestic cricket and a recent Test debut where he showcased his talent, Sarfaraz has struggled to make a mark in the IPL. Over his career, he has scored only 585 runs in 50 matches, which may not have been enough to attract bids from franchises looking for explosive T20 players.
As teams increasingly prioritize players with strong T20 credentials and higher strike rates, Sarfaraz’s more traditional playing style may have made him less appealing in the current auction landscape. Consequently, no franchises showed interest in him this time around.
- Sikandar Raza (All-Rounder): His impactful off-spin and clutch batting make him a multifaceted option for tight games.
- Price: INR 1.25 crore
- Reason for being unsold: Sikandar Raza will not be participating in the IPL next year after failing to secure a contract in the IPL 2025 auction. He entered the auction with a base price of INR 1.25 crore but did not receive any bids from the franchises.
Raza, who played for Punjab Kings in the previous season, has been recognized as one of the top T20 all-rounders globally. Despite having a solid track record and experience in various T20 leagues around the world, he could not attract interest this time around.
- KS Bharat (Wicketkeeper-Batter): Reliable behind the stumps, Bharat offers stability but lacks an aggressive batting edge.
- Price: INR 75 lakhs
- Reason for being unsold: KS Bharat will not be playing in the IPL next year after going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction. He entered the auction with a base price of INR 75 lakh but did not receive any bids.
Bharat, a wicketkeeper-batsman aged 31, was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders last season. He first gained attention in 2015 by becoming the first wicketkeeper-batsman to score a triple-century in the Ranji Trophy. Although he was signed by the Delhi Capitals that year, he did not play any matches and was released.
- Shardul Thakur (All-Rounder): Known for big-game performances, Thakur’s all-round ability makes him a dependable choice.
- Price: INR 2 crore
- Reason for being unsold: Shardul Thakur’s decline in IPL form has been evident, leading to him going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. In 2024, while playing for Chennai Super Kings, he participated in just nine matches, taking five wickets at an average of 61.80. As a batsman, he scored only 21 runs in three innings. His diminishing presence in international cricket and ongoing injury issues further impacted his prospects, raising concerns about his fitness and performance capabilities.
- Jason Behrendorff (Pacer): A left-arm pacer with swing expertise, Behrendorff remains a lethal option in powerplay overs.
- Price: INR 1.5 crore
- Reason for being unsold: Jason Benderoff went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction due to several factors. His recent form and performance may not have met franchise expectations, leading to concerns about his consistency. Additionally, any fitness issues or injuries could have further diminished his appeal. The demand for specific skills also played a role; if his skill set did not align with team needs, franchises might have opted for other players. Lastly, budget constraints may have limited teams’ willingness to bid for him.
- Piyush Chawla (Spinner): The veteran spinner’s wicket-taking ability and experience make him a solid middle-overs bowler.
- Price: 50 Lakhs
- Reason for being unsold: Piyush Chawla went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction due to several factors. His recent performance may not have met franchise expectations, and at 35 years old, he faces challenges securing bids, especially as teams often prefer younger talent. Additionally, franchises may have been focused on building squads with players who can make an immediate impact, leading to a lack of interest in Chawla despite his experience and past achievements in the IPL.
- Shivam Mavi (Pacer): Despite inconsistent performances, Mavi’s pace and potential as a death-overs bowler are hard to ignore.
- Price: 75 lakhs
- Reason for being unsold: Shivam Mavi went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction after registering at a base price of INR 75 lakh. The right-arm pacer last played in the IPL in 2022 and has struggled to secure a consistent spot since then. Although he began his IPL career with promise, his recent lack of play, including missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, likely contributed to franchises’ decisions not to bid for him this time around.
The IPL 2025 auction reminded fans of cricket’s unpredictable nature. These unsold players, despite their immense skills, were overlooked due to tactical decisions. They remain ready to prove their worth in future opportunities.
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