Top Players Who Shockingly Went Unsold at IPL 2025 Auction
The IPL 2025 Auction was pure chaos—filled with mind-boggling bids, wild team strategies, and... heartbreak. While some rookies walked away millionaires, a bunch of cricketing legends were left clutching their cricket kits and refreshing their phones for bids that never came.
Let’s dive into the top unsold players at the IPL 2025 Auction, and analyze why these big names were left out in the cold while some uncapped guy from Ranchi just got 6 crores.
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| Unsold players in IPL 2025 |
1. Steve Smith – From Captain Cool to Auction Ghost
💰 Base Price: ₹2 crore
😶 Final Bids: Zero
Steve Smith, the man who once captained the Rajasthan Royals and has more cover drives than a romance novel has metaphors, went unsold. Again.
Why?
Probably because teams realized he's now more into commentary than smashing sixes. Also, if he takes 30 balls to score 28 runs, even Test cricket might swipe left.
Dark Humor Angle:
Steve Smith waiting for a bid is like Windows XP waiting for updates—it’s just not happening anymore.
2. Shakib Al Hasan – The Bangladesh Wall Nobody Picked
💰 Base Price: ₹1.5 crore
🧊 Final Bids: None
A two-time IPL winner. A top-class all-rounder. And yet, Shakib was ignored harder than RCB’s trophy cabinet.
Why?
Age, availability concerns, and teams preferring younger spin options. Plus, his last IPL season was less exciting than a rain-affected T20.
Funny Take:
Shakib might just switch careers and become Bangladesh’s next finance minister. At least that role has security.
3. Dasun Shanaka – Sri Lanka’s Captain Without a Franchise
💰 Base Price: ₹50 lakh
😢 Final Bids: Still waiting
Even though Shanaka is a proven match-winner for Sri Lanka, IPL teams treated him like that one guy who brings salad to a party—uninvited.
Why?
Foreign all-rounder slots are few, and competition is high. Apparently, IPL teams prefer Australian flavor over Lankan spice.
Zinger:
Shanaka might soon start a motivational podcast: “How to stay calm when 10 franchises ignore you.”
4. Kusal Mendis – The Mystery Miss
💰 Base Price: ₹50 lakh
❌ Final Bids: Zilch
Despite being in good form internationally, Mendis didn’t get a single nibble.
Why?
Lack of IPL experience, and too many wicketkeeper options. Also, teams probably Googled "Mendis IPL highlights" and the page said “Error 404 – Not Found.”
5. Wayne Parnell – The Ghost of IPL Past
💰 Base Price: ₹75 lakh
👻 Final Bids: None
Parnell has reinvented himself multiple times, but IPL teams still seem to think he’s stuck in 2013.
Why?
Too many better T20 pacers in the pool. Also, franchises have commitment issues with South African pacers. Sad but true.
6. Mohammad Nabi – The Evergreen Afghan Who Got No Love
💰 Base Price: ₹1 crore
💔 Final Bids: Not a single one
One of the most experienced all-rounders, but Nabi's name didn’t ring any bells this time.
Why?
Teams now want younger Afghan talent like Fazalhaq Farooqi and Noor Ahmad. Nabi is great—but unfortunately, so is your dad’s 1998 Nokia. Doesn’t mean people use it now.
7. Sarfaraz Khan – Domestic Beast, IPL Ghost
💰 Base Price: ₹20 lakh
🕯 Final Bids: Darkness
Despite being the uncrowned king of the Ranji Trophy, Sarfaraz couldn’t bag an IPL contract.
Why?
Fitness concerns, plus he’s not a power-hitter. And maybe franchises got tired of explaining to fans that Sarfaraz isn’t a Pakistani player.
8. Kyle Jamieson – Tall Price, Tall Ignorance
💰 Base Price: ₹1 crore
📉 Final Bids: Nil
Remember when RCB bought him for ₹15 crore? Yeah, those were the good ol' days. Now he can’t even get a bid at 1 crore.
Why?
Injuries, inconsistent form, and maybe because franchises are tired of tall bowlers who bowl slow balls.
9. Rassie van der Dussen – Mr. Dependable Got Depended On Too Hard
💰 Base Price: ₹1 crore
🫠 Final Bids: Silence
He scores runs for fun internationally. But in IPL, Rassie is basically that brilliant guy in college no one wants in their WhatsApp group.
Why?
Strike rate issues, and teams obsessed with Indian middle-order players. Rassie is the classical batsman in a world of swipe-right power hitters.
10. Tom Curran – Another Curran, But Less Glamour
💰 Base Price: ₹75 lakh
🚫 Final Bids: Nope
While Sam Curran is everyone's favorite cutie-pie with a cricket bat, Tom is that cousin who shows up late and drops the cake.
Why?
Average IPL numbers, too many better overseas options, and unfortunately… he’s not Sam.
Conclusion: IPL 2025 – A Harsh Reminder That Stardom Doesn’t Guarantee Selection
The IPL 2025 Auction proved that age, reputation, and past glories don’t count for much. The league is young, dynamic, and sometimes ruthlessly brutal.
While these players might not be in the spotlight this season, never say never in IPL. Injuries, form slumps, or last-minute replacements might bring them back into the mix.
Until then, they’ll be watching the action from their couches—just like the rest of us.
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