Best Unsold Players XI from IPL 2025 Auction

THE IPL 2025 Auction they saw surprising omissions such as Prithvi Shaw and David Warner. Despite their ability, these players were left unsold due to form, fitness or tactical preferences. This article highlights a formidable lineup of overlooked stars who remain poised 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. Amid high-profile bids, several established players have shockingly gone unsold, sparking debate over their T20 futures. This article highlights a formidable lineup of unsold players who still have a lot to offer.

Shocking omissions from IPL 2025

Notable names like Prithvi Shaw and David Warner have failed to attract offers this season. Franchises prioritized emerging talent, value players and balanced rosters over high-priced veterans. Factors such as recent form, fitness concerns and declining performances heavily influenced these decisions.

The best Unsold XI Lineup

1. Prithvi Shaw (opener): Known for his 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 removed from Mumbai Ranji Trophy team due to weight and discipline issues. 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.

2. David Warner (Open, Captain): The Warner legend’s adaptability and leadership make him an invaluable but overlooked asset.

• Price: INR 2 crore
• Reason for sale: Warner’s performance in the 2024 IPL season was particularly poor as he managed to score only 168 runs in 12 matches. averaging just 14. This significant drop from his previous seasons has caused concerns among franchises about his current form and ability to perform at a high level. His last season of note was 2023, where he scored 516 runs, but a sharp decline in 2024 likely influenced teams’ decisions not to bid on him.

At 37, Warner is considered one of the greatest players in T20 cricket. While age may be just a number for some athletes, T20 requires maximum fitness and agility. There are growing concerns about Warner’s long-term fitness and ability to handle the rigors of a full IPL season. Moreover, with his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, franchises may have questioned his commitment to the T20 leagues going forward.

3. Yash Dhull (Top Order): This emerging player’s composure and technique make him a promising anchor for long-term prospects\

• Price: 30 Lakhs
• Reason it went unsold: No franchise showed interest in acquiring it and it went unsold.

4. Daryl Mitchell (full): Versatile with bat and ball, Mitchell excels under pressure in key middle-order roles.

• Price: 2 crore
• Reason for sale: Mitchell has 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. The previous IPL seasons were less impressive. he played just 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 record may have raised concerns among franchises.

5. Sarfaraz Khan (Middle class): A domestic veteran, his struggles to repeat success in IPL conditions raise concerns about adaptability.

• Price: INR 75 lakhs
• Reason for unsold: Sarfaraz Khan’s unsold status in the IPL 2025 auction surprised many, especially considering that his base price was set at just INR 75 lakh. However, his average strike rate in T20 cricket, which is 130.58, probably played a major role in this result.

Despite his impressive performances in domestic cricket and his recent Test debut where he showcased his talent, Sarfaraz has struggled to make a mark in the IPL. During his career, he has scored only 585 runs in 50 matches, which may not have been enough to attract offers from franchises looking for explosive T20 players.

With teams increasingly prioritizing players with strong T20 credentials and higher strike rates, Sarfaraz’s more traditional style of play may have made him less attractive in the current auction landscape. Consequently, no franchise showed interest in him this time.

6. Sikandar Raza (Pandara): His impressive off-spin and clutch batting make him a versatile option for tight games.

• Price: INR 1.25 crore
• Reason for Unsold: Sikandar Raza will not be in the IPL next year after he failed to secure a contract in the IPL 2025 auction. He entered the auction at a base price of INR 1.25 but did not receive any bids from the franchises.

Raza, who played for Kings of Punjab in the previous season, he has been recognized as one of the top T20 all-rounders in the world. Despite having a solid track record and experience in various T20 leagues around the world, he could not attract interest this time.

7. KS Bharat (Wicketkeeper-Batter): Reliable behind the stumps, Bharat offers stability but lacks attacking edge.

• Price: INR 75 lakhs
• Reason for unsold: KS Bharat will not play in IPL next year after going unsold in IPL auction 2025. He entered the auction with a base price of INR 75 lakh but did not receive any bids.

Bharat, a 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, was part of it 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 it was signed by Capitals of Delhi that year he did not play a single match and was released.

8. Shardul Thakur (All-rounder): Known for performances in big games, Thakur’s all-round ability makes him a reliable option.

• Price: INR 2 crore
• Reason for sale: Shardul ThakurHis decline in IPL form was evident, resulting in him going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. In 2024, while playing for Chennai Super Kingsfeatured 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 declining presence in international cricket and ongoing injury issues further affected his prospects, raising concerns about his fitness and potential.

9. 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 Unsold: Jason Benderoff went unsold in IPL 2025 auction due to several factors. His recent form and performance may not have lived up to the franchise’s expectations, leaving them worried about his consistency. Furthermore, any fitness issues or injuries could further reduce his appeal. The demand for specific skills also played a role. If his skill set didn’t align with the team’s needs, franchises might have gone for other players. Finally, budget constraints may have limited teams’ willingness to bid for him.

10. Piyush Chawla (Spinner): The veteran spinner’s wicket-taking ability and experience makes him a consistent player in the middle overs.

• Price: 50 Lakhs
• Reason for Unsold: Piyush Chawla went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction due to several factors. His recent performance may not have lived up to the franchise’s expectations, and at 35, he faces challenges securing offers, especially as teams often prefer younger talent. Additionally, franchises may have 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.

11. Shivam Mavi (Pacer): Despite inconsistent performances, Mavi’s pace and dynamism as a death bowler is hard to ignore.

• Price: 75 lakhs
• Reason for unsold: Shivam Mavi went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction after signing up 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 place ever since. Although he started 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 the unpredictable nature of cricket. These unsold players, despite their immense abilities, were overlooked due to tactical decisions. They remain ready to prove their worth in future opportunities.

Stay updated with all the cricket action, follow Cricket on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram