Key Players Unsold in IPL 2025 Auction
The IPL 2025 mega auction wrapped up on 25th November 25, with players like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer setting new records for the highest bids ever. However, not every player found a new home, and several big names went unsold. These key players, despite their previous successes in the tournament, failed to attract interest from any of the IPL franchises. Let’s take a closer look at the top stars who went unsold in Jeddah during the IPL 2025 auction and what it means for their IPL futures.
A Look at the Unsold Stars in IPL 2025 Auction
Despite the heavy bidding and massive deals made during the IPL 2025 mega auction, some well-known players were left without a team. Among the most surprising absentees were David Warner and Kane Williamson, both of whom have had significant IPL careers. Warner, who has been a regular in the league for over a decade, went unsold at his base price of INR 2 crore. Similarly, Williamson, a former Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, was also not picked by any franchise, despite his experience and leadership qualities.
Other top stars who went unsold at IPL 2025 mega auction include Jonny Bairstow from England and Shardul Thakur from India. Bairstow, who had a decent season with Punjab Kings in 2024, was also not able to fetch any bids at his INR 2 crore base price. Shardul, known for his pace and batting capabilities, had a similar fate.
David Warner and Kane Williamson’s IPL Future
Even though David Warner and Kane Williamson didn’t find a team during the auction, they are unlikely to be out of the IPL picture for long. Injuries and changes in team line-ups are common, and franchises may turn to these experienced stars if a player pulls out of the tournament due to unforeseen circumstances.
Players Who Were Left Unsold in Auction IPL 2025
Apart from the prominent names, there were other notable players like Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan) who failed to attract any bids.
Player | Base Price | Nationality | Role |
David Warner | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Batter |
Yash Dhull | INR 30 lakh | Indian | Batter |
Kane Williamson | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Batter |
Prithvi Shaw | INR 75 lakh | Indian | Batter |
Sarfaraz Khan | INR 75 lakh | Indian | Batter |
Finn Allen | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Batter |
Brandon King | INR 75 lakh | Overseas | Batter |
Ben Duckett | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Batter |
Pathum Nissanka | INR 75 lakh | Overseas | Batter |
Steve Smith | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Batter |
Piyush Chawla | INR 50 Lakh | Indian | Bowler |
Mujeeb Ur Rahman | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Bowler |
Adil Rashid | INR 2 Crore | Overseas | Bowler |
Mustafizur Rahman | INR 2 Crore | Overseas | Bowler |
Naveen ul Haq | INR 2 crore | Overseas | Bowler |
Alzarri Joseph | INR 2 Crore | Overseas | Bowler |
Dilshan Madushanka | INR 75 Lakh | Overseas | Bowler |
William O’Rourke | INR 1.5 Crore | Overseas | Bowler |
Jonny Bairstow | INR 2 Crore | Overseas | Wk-batter |
Shai Hope | INR 1.25 crore | Overseas | Wk-batter |
KL Bharat | INR 75 Lakh | Indian | Wk-batter |
Alex Carey | INR 1 crore | Overseas | Wk-batter |
Shardul Thakur | INR 2 Crore | Indian | All-rounder |
Daryl Mitchell | INR 2 Crore | Overseas | All-rounder |
Gus Atkinson | INR 2 Crore | Overseas | All-rounder |
Sikandar Raza | INR 1.25 crore | Overseas | All-rounder |
The Future of Unsold Players in IPL 2025
The IPL 2025 mega auction may have been a disappointment for these stars, but it’s not the end of the road. Players who remain unsold can still be picked up by franchises during the course of the season. Injuries, form dips, or sudden changes in player availability could open up spots for these unsold stars to make a comeback. Moreover, players like Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan, though unsold this time, are still young and could get another chance in the future.
The Rise of Young Talent in IPL 2025
The 2025 auction also saw some incredible young talent being picked up. For instance, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old player, became the youngest player ever to be bought in an IPL auction. This shift towards younger players reflects the league’s increasing focus on fresh talent and potential. The emphasis on future stars might be one reason why some seasoned players didn’t make the cut.
Rivcky John
A prominent figure in sports journalism for the last two decades. Cricket Analyst & Writing News, Features, Match Previews/Reviews/Reports, And Opinion Pieces on Cricket. You can connect with him on Facebook also.