The IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi was a historic event that rewrote the record books, headlined by Cameron Green’s staggering ₹25.20 crore move to KKR. However, the true shockwaves were felt during the ‘Unsold’ calls.
As franchises pivoted aggressively toward Gen-Z Indian talent—paying up to ₹14.20 crore for uncapped stars like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma—several established international icons and seasoned Indian veterans were left stranded.
Star power ignored in IPL 2026 auction
The 2026 auction signaled a generational wealth transfer in cricket. Teams prioritized youth and specific tactical roles over pure star power. While some players like Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were lucky to be picked up in the third ‘Accelerated’ round, others weren’t as fortunate. On that note, let’s have a look at such stars who were not picked in the bidding event and make a perfect XI for the unsold players.
IPL 2026: Best playing XI of unsold players from the mini-auction
1) Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)
Role: Explosive opener
Fraser-McGurk was arguably the biggest surprise of the auction. After setting tournaments alight in 2024 with his fearless strokeplay and outrageous strike rates, expectations were sky-high. However, a lean 2025 season, where he managed just 55 runs across six matches, raised concerns among franchises. Despite possessing the ability to win games inside the powerplay, teams hesitated to invest even at his ₹2 crore base price, fearing inconsistency and form volatility at the top.
2) Devon Conway (New Zealand)
Role: Opener
A proven IPL performer and a former CSK mainstay, Conway’s unsold status stunned many. Averaging over 43 in the league and known for his composure under pressure, Conway brings stability few can match. However, at 34, franchises prioritized younger, more explosive keeper-batters who could double up as long-term investments. Conway’s reliability, once his biggest asset, seemingly worked against him in a youth-driven market.
3) Jamie Smith (England)
Role: Aggressive top-order batter / Wicketkeeper
Smith entered the auction as one of England’s most exciting new-generation batters across formats. His aggressive approach, ability to take on pace and spin alike, and wicketkeeping skills made him a strong contender on paper. Surprisingly, even teams short on wicketkeeping options passed him by, possibly viewing him as a player better suited to international conditions than the subcontinental grind of the IPL.
4) Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
Role: Middle-order batter / Seam-bowling all-rounder
Mitchell’s omission reflected market dynamics rather than ability. A proven match-winner for New Zealand and an adaptable middle-order presence, Mitchell has delivered consistently on big stages. However, with franchises overloaded with domestic middle-order options and overseas slots already locked in, Mitchell became a victim of poor timing rather than poor form.
5) Deepak Hooda (India)
Role: Batting all-rounder
Despite a solid domestic season and previous international exposure, Hooda went unsold multiple times. His ₹75 lakh base price failed to spark interest as teams leaned heavily toward uncapped players with perceived upside. Hooda’s versatility remains valuable, but franchises appeared to prefer specialists over hybrid players in tightly defined team roles.
6) Mahipal Lomror (India)
Role: Finisher
Lomror’s absence underlined the intense competition among Indian middle-order batters. A consistent domestic performer and former RCB finisher, Lomror offers flexibility and left-handed balance. However, with franchises investing heavily in uncapped finishers and all-rounders, Lomror found himself squeezed out despite having a proven IPL skill set.
7) Gus Atkinson (England)
Role: Pace bowling all-rounder
Atkinson’s raw pace and lower-order hitting could have strengthened any bowling unit. Fresh off impressive international performances, he looked a strong candidate for teams seeking fast-bowling depth. However, overseas pace options were plentiful, and franchises instead chose to reserve slots for specialists with proven IPL track records.
8) Gerald Coetzee (South Africa)
Role: Express fast bowler
Known for his aggression and ability to hit speeds north of 150 kmph, Coetzee’s snub raised eyebrows. His omission was largely tactical, as franchises preferred investing heavily in Indian pacers such as Auqib Nabi Dar. With teams prioritizing domestic fast bowlers to free up overseas slots, Coetzee narrowly missed out despite his match-winning potential.
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Complete list of sold players with their price
9) Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)
Role: Mystery spinner
Once a crucial cog in CSK’s bowling plans, Theekshana’s recent inconsistency proved costly. While his variations and powerplay control remain valuable, fluctuating form and predictability at the death reduced his appeal. Teams appeared wary of mystery spinners without sustained recent success.
10) Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)
Role: Off-spinner
Mujeeb’s journey has come full circle. Once the youngest IPL debutant and a highly sought-after mystery spinner, he found no buyers this time around. While his variations are still effective, teams leaned toward wrist spinners and domestic slow bowlers, leaving Mujeeb on the sidelines in a rapidly evolving spin market.
11) Spencer Johnson (Australia)
Role: Left-arm pacer
Johnson went unsold as well despite his ability to generate steep bounce and serious pace. However, the auction trend favored domestic left-arm pacers, who offered similar skill sets without consuming overseas slots. Johnson’s case highlighted how even rare attributes can be overlooked when team combinations are already set.
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Full list of unsold players along with their base price
