The Auction Unsold in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction delivered surprises, with five renowned players unexpectedly going unsold. Despite their impressive records and past performances, these stars failed to attract bidders, leaving fans and experts stunned. The unexpected snubs highlight the unpredictable nature of the auction, where team dynamics, strategies, and current form often outweigh reputation.
IPL 2025 mega auction took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The highly anticipated two-day Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction unfolded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Franchises went all out, investing heavily to build formidable squads for the upcoming season.
In a historic moment, Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history, fetching a staggering INR 27 crores from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Close on his heels, Shreyas Iyer made headlines with his move to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for an impressive INR 26.75 crores.
The IPL 2025 mega auction not only reshaped team lineups but also rewarded numerous players with record-breaking deals.
In this article, we delve into the top five players who surprisingly went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
1. David Warner
Legendary Australian opener David Warner, a cornerstone of IPL history, was the most notable player to go unsold during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 38-year-old left-hander boasts an extraordinary IPL record, amassing 6565 runs at an impressive strike rate of 140. A three-time Orange Cap winner, Warner’s contributions have etched his name among the tournament’s greats.
However, despite his illustrious career, Warner went unsold at his base price of INR 2 crores. The combination of his advancing age and a noticeable decline in form over the past year likely influenced this unexpected outcome.
2. Shardul Thakur
Seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur emerged as one of the surprising unsold names in the IPL 2025 mega auction. With a base price set at INR 2 crores, Shardul failed to draw any bids during both the regular and accelerated auction rounds.
Last season, he represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK), managing to pick up five wickets in 10 matches. However, his recent absence from India’s squads and recovery from foot surgery could have influenced franchises to pass on acquiring him.
3. Prithvi Shaw
Once considered the future star of Indian cricket, Prithvi Shaw’s career has seen a significant downturn.
Beyond a dip in form, Shaw has often been in the spotlight for controversies surrounding disciplinary issues. Concerns over his fitness have also surfaced repeatedly. Most recently, the Mumbai batter was dropped from the Ranji Trophy squad, citing both disciplinary and fitness-related reasons.
Entering the IPL auction with a base price of INR 75 lakhs, Shaw found no takers. In the previous season, he managed 198 runs in eight games for Delhi, boasting an impressive strike rate of 164.
4. Daryl Mitchell
Star New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, a marquee name in the all-rounders category, surprisingly went unsold in the IPL mega auction this year. Acquired by Chennai Super Kings for an impressive ₹14 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, the Kiwi was anticipated to be a sought-after player once again.
Despite setting a base price of ₹2 crore, Mitchell failed to attract bids. Although he has delivered consistent performances for New Zealand, his lackluster showing for CSK last season significantly impacted his appeal among franchises.
5. Jonny Bairstow
English opener Jonny Bairstow is another big name that remained unsold during the IPL 2025 mega auction. What makes his exclusion shocking is the fact that he scored a blistering hundred last season to guide PBKS to a famous win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens.
Bairstow is one of the best hitters of spin bowling in white-ball cricket. Yet, the England keeper-batsman had not takers in the mega auction.
Jonny entered the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price price of INR 2 crores and went unsold.
