The IPL 2025 mega auction, held over two intense days in Jeddah, was a spectacle of high-stakes bidding, tactical maneuvering, and some surprising twists. The 10 franchises splurged a whopping Rs 639.15 crore on a total of 182 players, including 62 overseas stars. This year’s auction broke new records, with Rishabh Pant bagging a jaw-dropping Rs 27 crore deal with Lucknow Super Giants, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history. Another major highlight was the sale of 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player ever to be sold at the auction, fetching an impressive Rs 1.10 crore deal with Rajasthan Royals. These remarkable signings added further excitement to an auction that was already brimming with anticipation.
However, amidst the high-profile signings, the auction also witnessed some shocks, particularly with several prominent players failing to attract any bids. For many of these unsold players, the IPL 2025 auction might well mark the end of their careers in the tournament. Among the most significant and surprising omissions were a few familiar faces who had been regulars in the IPL in recent years but found no takers this time.
One of the most startling moments came when the name of David Warner, the Australian cricket veteran, was called out during the auction. Despite Warner’s stellar IPL track record, including being the fourth-highest run scorer in IPL history with over 6,500 runs, he went unsold. Warner, who had retired from international cricket earlier this year, had set his base price at Rs 2 crore, but despite his proven leadership skills (having captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL title in 2016) and his consistency as an opener, he did not attract a single bid. His unsold status, especially after not being retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of the auction, sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Warner’s experience, ability to play under pressure, and leadership qualities seemed to be overshadowed by other factors this time, leading to his exclusion from the 2025 IPL.
Another major surprise was the unsold status of Prithvi Shaw, the Delhi Capitals opener who had set his base price at Rs 75 lakh. Shaw’s IPL career had been a rollercoaster ride, with glimpses of brilliance early on but a series of struggles in recent seasons. Once considered the next big thing in Indian cricket, Shaw’s stock has fallen dramatically in recent years. Despite his explosive batting capabilities and a strong IPL record of 1,892 runs in 79 matches at a strike rate of 147.47, no franchise showed interest in him this time. Shaw's exclusion from the auction further raised questions about the factors at play in the franchise strategies, as teams looked to build squads that were more in line with the evolving nature of T20 cricket.
Similarly, Mayank Agarwal, a reliable top-order batter, also went unsold, despite his base price being set at Rs 1 crore. Agarwal had been associated with Punjab Kings for a long time before his departure in 2022 and had briefly been part of Sunrisers Hyderabad in recent seasons. However, his inability to secure a place in any IPL team for 2025 underlined his diminishing value in the T20 format. Jonny Bairstow, the England wicketkeeper-batter known for his aggressive batting style, was another big name that went unsold. Bairstow had previously played for SRH and PBKS, having amassed 1,589 runs in 50 IPL matches at a strike rate of 144.45. Despite his destructive nature at the top of the order, his lack of recent appearances and inconsistent form may have contributed to his unsold status.
Another unexpected absentee was Sarfaraz Khan, the Mumbai batter who had enjoyed a breakthrough season in red-ball cricket for India. Despite his solid domestic performances, including a remarkable season with Mumbai in the 2023 IPL, Sarfaraz's name failed to generate any interest at the auction. He had set his base price at Rs 50 lakh, yet none of the franchises took a chance on him, further adding to the list of unsold surprise packages.
Other notable players who failed to attract bids included Sikander Raza, the Zimbabwean all-rounder, and Shardul Thakur, a pace-bowling all-rounder who had previously been a valuable asset for Chennai Super Kings. Raza, with his solid T20 reputation and ability to turn games with both bat and ball, failed to find a suitor despite his pedigree in international cricket. Similarly, Shardul Thakur, known for his handy contributions with both bat and ball, particularly in the shorter formats, couldn’t secure a spot, with his diminishing form in the recent seasons cited as a possible reason.
Piyush Chawla, one of the most experienced spinners in IPL history, also went unsold despite being a consistent performer in the past, especially for Mumbai Indians in the last few years. With 192 wickets in 192 matches, Chawla has been a key figure in IPL’s spin bowling revolution. Yet, his age and possibly diminishing impact in the shorter format seemed to have deterred franchises from making a bid for him.
Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladesh pacer known for his death-over bowling skills, was another shock exclusion. Despite a solid IPL record, including a good run with Chennai Super Kings, Mustafizur’s absence from the auction pointed to the changing dynamics of team selections. Navdeep Saini, once seen as one of India’s brightest fast-bowling prospects, also found himself unsold at the auction. The 31-year-old’s career has been plagued by injuries, and despite his impressive domestic performances, franchises were hesitant to invest in him for IPL 2025.
Finally, Umesh Yadav, the veteran pacer from India, also went unsold. Despite having played 148 IPL matches and taken 144 wickets, Umesh's recent struggles and perhaps the lack of demand for experienced pacers with the Impact Player rule in play may have led to his omission. His unsold status could signal the end of his IPL journey, especially after his stint with Gujarat Titans in the 2024 season.
The 2025 IPL auction marked a turning point for many players, with younger and more specialized talents seeming to dominate the teams' preferences. For the unsold players, this could very well be the last chapter in their IPL careers, unless they find opportunities in other leagues or impress in domestic cricket. The auction also highlighted the growing trend of franchises focusing on emerging talent and building squads with an eye on the future of the T20 format.
