The Unsold XI of IPL 2025 highlights several experienced players and promising talents who failed to secure bids. Despite impressive past performances, factors like recent form, fitness concerns, and limited opportunities influenced franchises’ decisions, leaving some notable figures out of the tournament in a surprising outcome of the auction.
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw’s unsold status in the IPL 2025 auction was unexpected. After seven seasons with Delhi Capitals, the franchise released him, and no team bid for him, even at his base price of INR 75 lakh. Shaw, who has 1,892 runs in 79 IPL matches at a strike rate of 147.47, is known for his aggressive top-order batting. However, concerns over his consistency and fitness appear to have influenced teams’ decisions this auction.
David Warner
David Warner, an IPL stalwart, went unsold in the 2025 auction, signaling a surprising conclusion to his illustrious tournament career. Despite leading SRH to a title in 2016 and amassing 6,565 runs—the fourth-highest in IPL history—no team bid for him at his base price of INR 2 crore. Having retired from international cricket earlier this year, Warner’s recent struggles with form likely deterred franchises from investing in the veteran opener.
Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal, a dependable top-order batter, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction at his base price of INR 1 crore. After leaving Punjab Kings before the IPL 2023 season, he saw limited action with SunRisers Hyderabad, featuring in only 4 matches in IPL 2024. With 2,661 runs in 127 IPL matches, Agarwal has proven credentials, but his reduced game time in recent seasons likely influenced teams’ decision to pass on him this year.
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow, renowned for his explosive batting and wicket-keeping skills, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, surprising many. With 1,589 runs in 50 IPL matches at a strike rate of 144.45, Bairstow has been a reliable performer for SRH and PBKS, excelling both as an opener and at No. 4. However, his underwhelming form in IPL 2024, where he scored just 298 runs in 11 matches, along with reduced involvement in England’s formats, likely led to teams passing on him.
Daryl Mitchell
New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who delivered consistent performances for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024 with 318 runs in 13 matches, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. Despite his solid contributions in the middle order and his all-round capabilities, Mitchell was released by CSK ahead of the auction. Expectations were high that franchises would bid for him, but surprisingly, no team showed interest, leaving him without a spot in the upcoming season.
Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction despite a base price of INR 50 lakh and a stellar red-ball season for India. The Mumbai batter showed promise in domestic cricket but failed to draw interest from franchises. His last IPL stint was with Delhi Capitals in 2023, following earlier spells with PBKS and RCB. Over his IPL career, Sarfaraz has scored 585 runs in 50 matches but struggled to establish consistency, which likely influenced the lack of bids.
Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur, the pace-bowling all-rounder, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction at a base price of INR 2 crore. Despite his experience of 95 matches and 94 wickets, Thakur struggled in IPL 2024, managing only five wickets in nine matches for Chennai Super Kings. The Impact Player Rule also curtailed his opportunities, affecting his overall contributions. His recent dip in form likely deterred franchises from bidding for him in this auction.
Piyush Chawla
Veteran spinner Piyush Chawla, one of the IPL’s most successful bowlers with 192 wickets in 192 matches, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. Chawla, 35, was pivotal for Mumbai Indians in the past two seasons, taking 35 wickets in 27 games. Despite setting a modest base price of INR 50 lakh, no franchises bid for him. With his stellar IPL record, this unexpected outcome could signal the end of Chawla’s career in the tournament.
Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav, a veteran India pacer, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, raising questions about the future of his IPL career. Debuting in 2010, Umesh last played for Gujarat Titans in 2024, where he managed 8 wickets in 7 matches. With 144 wickets in 148 IPL appearances, he has been a reliable performer over the years. However, his recent form and lack of interest from franchises suggest his IPL journey might be nearing its conclusion.
Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini, known for his pace, went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction despite setting his base price at INR 75 lakh. Injury issues have hampered his career, with Saini being unavailable for IPL 2024 due to fitness problems. Though he has been strong in domestic cricket, no franchise showed interest. With 23 wickets in 32 IPL matches at an economy rate of 8.88, Saini’s injury troubles and limited recent IPL opportunities likely contributed to his omission this season.
Mustafizur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, following several other Bangladesh players who failed to attract bids. Known for his death-over prowess with yorkers and deceptive slower balls, Mustafizur has been a key T20 asset. Although his recent IPL seasons were underwhelming, he impressed for Chennai Super Kings in 2024, claiming 14 wickets in 9 matches before national duties cut his campaign short. With 61 wickets in 57 IPL matches, his performance couldn’t secure a bid this time.