IPL 2026 Auction surprise snubs: A look at notable players who went unsold despite strong credentials.
The IPL 2026 auction delivered fireworks with some players fetching skyrocketing prices, headlined by Cameron Green’s INR 25.20 crore deal to Kolkata Knight Riders. Young India sensations Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer also turned heads, with both going for INR 14.20 crore each to Chennai Super Kings, signalling the league’s hunger for explosive domestic talent. Yet, amid the frenzy, several notable players were shockingly left unsold.
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow, the seasoned England wicketkeeper-batter with around 250 T20 matches under his belt, stunned fans by going unsold despite his pedigree.
No team bid for the 36-year-old, likely due to his recent absence from England’s white-ball setup and dip in form. In IPL 2025, he featured in just two matches for Punjab Kings, scoring 85 runs at a strike rate of 150, a far cry from his explosive reputation.
Bairstow’s IPL 2024 stint was marginally better, 298 runs in 11 games at an average of 29.8, but inconsistency and injury concerns have eroded his appeal. Teams prioritised younger, more reliable overseas slots, overlooking his ability to anchor or accelerate innings.
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Jake Fraser-McGurk
Australia prodigy Jake Fraser-McGurk, just 23, entered the auction as a T20 sensation after his 2024 IPL breakout. But his base price of INR 2 crore drew zero bids. Inconsistency has plagued the opener, evident in his meager T20I record: 115 runs in eight matches at a dismal average of 14.37 and strike rate below 140. IPL 2025 offered little redemption, 55 runs in six outings for Delhi Capitals, hampered by poor shot selection and failure to convert starts.
Fraser-McGurk’s raw power, which saw him hit six sixes in a single BBL innings, tempted scouts. But teams balked at his high-risk profile amid a crowded top-order market.
Jamie Smith
England’s rising star Jamie Smith, a versatile wicketkeeper-batter capable of slotting anywhere from top to middle order, was another head-scratcher on the unsold list. The 25-year-old boasts impressive T20I credentials: 130 runs in six matches at a blistering strike rate of 194, including a rapid 50 on debut.
England’s player availability issues, frequent Test and ODI call-ups clashing with IPL windows, likely deterred bidders wary of mid-tournament retentions. With Phil Salt and Jos Buttler dominating keeper slots, Smith’s path was blocked.
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Maheesh Theekshana
Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, once a white-ball wizard, failed to spark bids despite his unique carrom-ball variations. His IPL 2025 campaign with Rajasthan Royals was underwhelming: 11 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 8.2, exposed on batting-friendly pitches.
Internationally, his T20I stats reflect decline, 69 wickets in 72 games at an average of 27.57, with recent economy creeping above nine. Powerplay struggles and lower-order batting limitations hurt his case in the auction.
Gerald Coetzee
South Africa express pacer Gerald Coetzee, known for 140+ kmph thunderbolts and handy lower-order hitting, was bafflingly overlooked. His 2024 IPL spell with Mumbai Indians impressed, 13 wickets in 10 matches, but a high economy (10.2) raised red flags on death-over control. Injuries sidelined him in the 2025 IPL, limiting him to three games (five wickets, economy 10+), amplifying concerns about reliability.
