The IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 25 saw intense bidding, with 182 players sold for over INR 600 crore. Big names like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant sparked bidding wars, but some surprising players, including David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Prithvi Shaw, and Shardul Thakur, remained unsold. A total of 395 players, including some big names, went unsold in both the 2024 and 2025 auctions, highlighting that even top talents were not always in demand. Best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction raised many eyebrows. Here are five such notable players:
List of 5 Best Players Who Remained Unsold in IPL 2025 Auction
| Player | Role | Base Price | Auction Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tabraiz Shamsi | Bowler (Left-arm wrist-spin) | ₹2 crore | Unsold |
| Adil Rashid | Bowler (Leg-spin) | ₹2 crore | Unsold |
| Steve Smith | Batter (Right-hand top-order) | ₹2 crore | Unsold |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Batter (Middle-order) | ₹75 lakh | Unsold |
| Finn Allen | Batter (Wicket-keeper) | ₹2 crore | Unsold |
1. Tabraiz Shamsi (INR 2 Crore)
South African left-arm wrist-spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, was listed with a base price of INR 2 crore but went unsold at the 2025 auction. In the 2024 auction, his base price was INR 50 lakh, but no team bid for him. Despite his reputation as one of the top T20 spinners globally and his experience in various leagues around the world, Shamsi has failed to attract interest in the IPL. He has played just five matches in the league.
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2. Adil Rashid (INR 2 Crore)
England’s leg-spinner, Adil Rashid, also set a base price of INR 2 crore for the IPL 2025 auction. However, like Shamsi, Rashid failed to catch the eye of any franchises. At 36 years old, Rashid has played just three IPL matches across two seasons. Despite having an impressive T20I career, with 126 T20I wickets and 354 T20 wickets in various international leagues, Rashid continues to be overlooked by IPL teams.
3. Finn Allen (INR 2 Crore)
The exclusion of explosive Kiwi opener Finn Allen from the IPL remains a mystery. Despite setting a base price of INR 2 crore, Allen went unsold in both the 2024 and 2025 auctions, making him one of the best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction. With 3544 runs in 126 T20 matches at an incredible strike rate of 168.60, Allen has established himself as a powerful hitter. His T20I stats are also impressive, with 1141 runs from 47 matches at a strike rate of 158.69. His time at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) saw no game-time, leaving many puzzled by franchises’ lack of interest in one of the best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction.
4. Steve Smith (INR 2 Crore)
Australian veteran Steve Smith, despite a base price of INR 2 crore, was one of the best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction, mirroring his experience in 2024. While his performances in ODIs and Tests have been exceptional, Smith’s T20 career has not been as impressive. In the IPL, he has managed to score 2485 runs in 103 matches at a strike rate of 128.09. His T20 strike rate of around 128 has often been criticized, as he struggles to play at the required tempo for T20 cricket, which is likely why he remains one of the best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction.
5. Sarfaraz Khan (INR 75 Lakh)
Despite a base price of INR 75 lakh, Sarfaraz Khan was one of the best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction. He was also unsold in 2024. Known for his unconventional shots, Sarfaraz scored just 53 runs in 4 matches for Delhi Capitals in 2023. With 1188 runs in 74 T20 innings at a strike rate of 128.29, his IPL stats of 585 runs in 50 matches at an average of 22.50 and strike rate of 130.58 haven’t been impressive enough. Despite his talent, he remains one of the best players who remained unsold in IPL 2025 auction.
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