Shakib Al Hasan is widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, with a stellar record that showcases his unmatched quality and consistency. He is Bangladesh’s third-highest run-scorer with 14,730 runs and their all-time leading wicket-taker with 712 wickets—a feat no other Bangladeshi bowler has come close to matching. His exceptional all-round abilities have cemented his place as one of cricket’s finest players.
Shakib has also enjoyed considerable success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) between 2011 and 2021. He was instrumental in KKR’s title-winning campaigns in 2012 and 2014. Although he last played an IPL match in 2021, Shakib was part of the tournament in 2023 after being bought by KKR. However, he skipped the 2024 season to manage his workload and went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, where his name was not even called.
3 reasons why Shakib Al Hasan went unsold at IPL 2025 mega auction:
Retirement and Age Concerns
When a player like David Warner, retired from international cricket and aged 38, went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, it was hardly surprising. Similarly, Shakib Al Hasan, who retired from Tests and T20Is in 2024 and will turn 38 next March, also failed to attract any bidders. IPL franchises often target players who can contribute effectively for at least three seasons, and Shakib’s recent fitness and injury issues likely raised doubts about his long-term utility.
Declining T20I Form
Shakib’s recent T20I performances may also have deterred franchises. In 2024, prior to his retirement, he managed an underwhelming batting average of 16 across 12 T20I matches, while taking only nine wickets. These numbers reflect a decline in form, which likely influenced his lack of demand at the auction.
Impact Player Rule’s Influence on All-rounders
The introduction of the Impact Player rule in the IPL has shifted team dynamics, reducing the demand for all-rounders, particularly spin-bowling overseas all-rounders like Shakib. This rule allows teams to include an extra specialist batter or bowler in their playing XI, thereby diminishing the strategic necessity of all-rounders who don’t excel in one primary skill. As a result, specialist bowlers have become more valuable, while versatile players like Shakib have seen their importance wane.