Is this the end of the road for David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and others in the IPL?
The IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah was historic, with 182 players finding homes and Rishabh Pant shattering records. However, the event was also marked by shock exclusions. Some seasoned players failed to secure bids due to high base prices or waning T20 relevance. Here, we look closely at ten prominent players who failed to secure a team in the IPL 2025 Auction.
- 6,565 runs.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 25, 2024
- 62 fifties.
- 4 hundreds.
- 2015, 2017 & 2019 orange caps.
- 2016 IPL winning captain.
THE DAVID WARNER ERA ENDS IN THE IPL - ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QK6z9NMHA0
David Warner, the dynamic Australian opener with over 6,000 IPL runs and three Orange Caps, faced an unexpected snub in the IPL 2025 Auction. Despite being a proven match-winner, Warner's age, recent retirement from international cricket, and a steep base price of ₹2 crores likely deterred franchises. His omission could end one of the most celebrated IPL careers.
🚨JONNY BAIRSTOW GOES UNSOLD IN IPL pic.twitter.com/hezFMr3Pju
— junaiz (@dhillow_) November 24, 2024
English powerhouse Jonny Bairstow failed to find a bidder this year. Known for his explosive batting, his hefty base price of ₹2 crores and underwhelming IPL performances in recent seasons worked against him. Scoring just 298 runs in 11 games last season, Bairstow couldn't justify the investment teams sought.
Big update 🚨 #IPLAuction2025
— Sksportsmania🏏 (@khansalman88177) November 25, 2024
Kane Williamson gone Unsold 🤯....💔 pic.twitter.com/iRjzjFUxfI
Kane Williamson's absence from the IPL roster was surprising but not entirely unexpected. While the former Sunrisers Hyderabad captain boasts over 2,100 IPL runs, his injury woes and a modest strike rate of 126.03 may have made teams reluctant. The modern T20 landscape demands aggression, which Williamson's classic approach lacks.
Mayank Agarwal is also unsold#IPLAuction2025 #ipl2025auction pic.twitter.com/mLWRoVhEaf
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 25, 2024
Mayank Agarwal's IPL journey hit a bump as he found no buyers in 2025. With over 2,600 runs, the Karnataka opener had a lacklustre 2024 season, managing only 64 runs at a strike rate of 112.28. Teams appeared hesitant to invest in a player coming off an underwhelming campaign.
🚨MUSTAFIZUR REHMAN GOES UNSOLD IN IPL AUCTION pic.twitter.com/1WiDe4J0Wr
— junaiz (@dhillow_) November 25, 2024
Mustafizur Rahman's exclusion left fans puzzled. Despite taking 14 wickets in nine matches for Chennai Super Kings last season, the Bangladeshi left-arm pacer found no takers. His base price of ₹2 crore and inconsistent fitness history seemed to overshadow his undeniable skills in crunch situations.
Pathum Nissanka went Unsold in IPL Auction !! pic.twitter.com/eJmK5L8kGt
— 11CricketNews (@11cricketnews) November 25, 2024
Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka, known for his steady batting, was another surprising exclusion. With a T20I average of 43.25, Nissanka is a reliable performer. His steady approach, while valuable, might lack the explosiveness IPL franchises prioritise in T20 cricket.
𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝘃𝗶 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘄 🔻
— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) November 25, 2024
Despite many of his U-19 World Cup 2018 teammates being retained by their teams, Prithvi Shaw remains unsold in the IPL auction 😪#IPLAuction #PrithviShaw #Cricket pic.twitter.com/3CnGflx7x6
Once hailed as a future star, Prithvi Shaw's struggles continued as he went unsold. His tally of just 198 runs in IPL 2024 at an average of 24.75 highlighted his erratic form. With fitness concerns and off-field issues, Shaw's prospects took a severe hit this year.
Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, who went unsold in the last IPL auction, are back with a bang! 🚀
— Cricket Fever (@CricketFeverly) November 5, 2024
They've registered for the IPL 2025 auction at a base price of INR 75 lakh each.
Both players are eager to make their mark after missing out last time! 💪🔥#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/hGqRk14tCX
Sarfaraz Khan's snub was a shock, given his extraordinary domestic form. His domestic dominance and recent India debut didn't translate into IPL interest. Limited IPL opportunities and inconsistent performances might have been deciding factors.
Shardul Thakur in IPL year by year:
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) November 25, 2024
2014-16: 20 lakh (PBKS)
2017: 20 lakh (RPS)
2018-21: 2.6 crore (CSK)
2022: 10.75 crore (DC)
2023: 10.75 crore (KKR)
2024: 4 crore (CSK)
2025: Unsold pic.twitter.com/uVIepytr3g
Known for his knack for taking key wickets, Shardul Thakur was another big name left out. Injuries and a disappointing 2024 IPL—where he managed just five wickets at an economy of 9.76—likely sealed his fate. Despite his base price of ₹2 crores, franchises appeared unwilling to gamble on his inconsistent form.
Umesh Yadav unsold
— KOTH Gaming (@KOTHGaming_) November 25, 2024
Follow @KOTHGaming_ for more updates and contest giveaway#IPLAuction #IPLRetentionOnStar #iplayr #ipl #IPLUpdates #IPL2024 #IPLAuction2025 #ipl2025 #cricket #IPLAuction2025 #ipl2025 pic.twitter.com/8Coejqwr0f
Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav, with 144 IPL wickets, couldn't attract a single bid. Though known for fiery spells, his recent performances—8 wickets in IPL 2024 at an economy of 10.00—raised questions about his efficiency. Teams preferred younger pacers, leaving Yadav to reflect on his waning IPL relevance.
The IPL 2025 Auction underscored the league's unforgiving nature. The biggest names were not spared as teams leaned toward younger, in-form players. While some snubs were driven by form and fitness, others reflected a shift in how franchises value versatility and adaptability in the ever-evolving T20 format.