IPL 2025 Auction: Top 5 Surprising Unsold Players

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The IPL 2025 auction, held on November 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was filled with excitement as teams competed fiercely to sign top players. Over two days, franchises spent over ₹600 crore, buying 182 players, including 62 overseas stars. While many big names like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant sparked intense bidding wars, some surprising names failed to attract any bids, leaving fans puzzled.

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A total of 395 players went unsold this year, including some who were also ignored in the IPL 2024 auction. 

IPL 2025 Auction: Top 5 Surprising Unsold Players

1. Tabraiz Shamsi (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, known for his impressive T20 performances worldwide, went unsold for the second consecutive year. Despite increasing his base price from₹50 lakh in 2024 to₹2 crore in 2025, no team showed interest in the 34-year-old. Shamsi has played just five IPL games in his career, which may explain the lack of bids despite his global T20 reputation.

2. Adil Rashid (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

England’s experienced leg-spinner Adil Rashid also failed to find a team, just like in 2024. The 36-year-old, who has played only three IPL matches, has impressive stats in T20 cricket, with 354 wickets in the format. However, teams seem hesitant to invest in him, possibly due to his limited success in previous IPL seasons.

3. Finn Allen (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

The explosive opener, Finn Allen, known for his aggressive batting, was another surprising omission. With a strike rate of 158.69 in T20Is, the 25-year-old has shown his potential internationally. Despite setting the same base price in 2024 and 2025, no team bid for him. Allen, who was once part of Royal Challengers Bangalore but never played a game, still waiting for his IPL debut.

4. Steve Smith (Base Price: ₹2 Crore)

Australian star Steve Smith, a legendary figure in Test and ODI formats, went unsold again. Smith’s T20 career, though consistent, hasn’t matched the explosive nature of the format, with a strike rate of 128.84 in T20s. His IPL record includes 2485 runs from 103 games, but teams seem to prioritize more aggressive batters for the shorter format.

5. Sarfaraz Khan (Base Price: ₹75 Lakh)

Young Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan, with a base price of ₹75 lakh, was another player ignored for the second year in a row. Despite his ability to play unorthodox shots, his average performances in recent seasons may have worked against him. In IPL 2023, he scored just 53 runs in four games for Delhi Capitals.

These players, despite their talent and achievements, couldn’t secure a spot in IPL 2025. It highlights how team strategies and specific roles play a crucial part in the auction dynamics, sometimes leaving even big names without a contract.

Also Read: Mumbai Indians (MI) IPL 2025 Squad: A Strong Contender

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