Published By: Sanchari Das

IPL Auction 2025: Is This the End of the Road for These Famous IPL Faces?

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.

David Warner

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

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.

Kane Williamson

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

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 Rahman

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

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.

Prithvi Shaw

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.

Sarfaraz Khan

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

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

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.