ipl 2026 The auction in Abu Dhabi was a historic event that rewrote the record books, titled cameron greenA surprise move of ₹25.20 crore to KKR. However, the real shock was felt during the ‘unsold’ call.
As the franchises moved aggressively towards Gen-Z Indian talent – as much as ₹14.20 crore was paid for uncapped stars. Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma– Many established international icons and experienced Indian veterans were left stranded.
Star power ignored in IPL 2026 auction
The 2026 auction signaled a generational transfer of wealth in cricket. Teams prioritized youth and specific tactical roles over pure star power. While some players like Prithvi Shaw And Sarfaraz Khan The third were lucky to be selected in the ‘accelerated’ round, others were not so lucky. On that note, let’s take a look at the stars who were not selected in the bidding program and create an ideal XI for the unsold players.
IPL 2026: Best playing XI of players not sold in mini-auction
1) Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)
Role:explosive opener
Fraser-McGurk was arguably the biggest surprise of the auction. After taking the tournaments by storm in 2024 with his fearless strokeplay and tremendous strike rate, expectations were sky high. However, the 2025 season, where he could only score 55 runs in six matches, raised concerns among the franchises. Despite having the ability to win games inside the powerplay, teams were hesitant to invest in him even at his ₹2 crore base price due to fear of inconsistency at the top and instability of form.
2) Devon Conway (New Zealand)
Role: opener
A proven IPL performer and former CSK mainstay, Conway’s unsold status surprised many. Known for his league average of over 43 and his composure under pressure, Conway brings a stability that few can match. However, at the age of 34, the franchise preferred younger, more explosive keeper-batsmen who can double up as long-term investments. Conway’s credibility, once her greatest asset, appears to be working against her in a youth-driven market.
3) Jamie Smith (England)
Role: Aggressive top order batsman/wicketkeeper
Smith entered the auction as one of England’s most exciting new generation batsmen across all formats. His aggressive approach, ability to withstand pace and spin equally and wicketkeeping skills make him a strong contender on paper. Surprisingly, even teams lacking wicketkeeping options overlooked him, possibly seeing him as a player better suited to international conditions than the subcontinental conditions of the IPL.
4) Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
Role: Middle-order batsman/seam-bowling all-rounder
Mitchell’s omission reflects market dynamics rather than capacity. A proven match-winner for New Zealand and an adaptable middle-order presence, Mitchell has consistently performed well on the big stages. However, with the franchise having a glut of domestic middle-order options and overseas slots already closed, Mitchell became a victim of poor timing rather than poor form.
5) Deepak Hooda (India)
Role: batting allrounder
Despite a good domestic season and previous international performances, Hooda remained unsold at times. His base price of ₹75 lakh failed to generate interest as teams were inclined towards uncapped players who had higher expectations. 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 the Indian middle-order batsmen. A consistent domestic performer and former RCB finisher, Lomror offers flexibility and left-handed balance. However, with the franchise investing heavily in uncapped finishers and all-rounders, Lomror felt underdogs despite having proven skills in the IPL.
7) Gus Atkinson (England)
Role: pace bowling allrounder
Atkinson’s raw pace and lower-order hitting could strengthen any bowling unit. After impressive international performances, he looked to be a strong candidate for teams looking for depth in fast bowling. However, overseas pace options were plentiful, and franchises instead opted 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 km/h, Coetzee’s omission raised eyebrows. His omission was largely strategic, as franchises preferred to invest heavily in Indian fast bowlers Auqib Nabi DarWith teams preferring domestic fast bowlers to free up overseas slots, Coetzee missed out by a narrow margin despite having match-winning potential,
Also read: IPL 2026 auction: Complete list of sold players with their prices
9) Mahesh Deekshana (Sri Lanka)
Role: mystery spinner
Once a key 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 seemed wary of mystery spinners without recent success.
10) Mujeeb ur Rahman (Afghanistan)
Role: off spinner
Mujib’s journey is complete. The mystery spinner, who was once the youngest debutant in the IPL and was highly sought after, did not find any buyer this time. While his variations are still effective, teams leaned towards wrist spinners and domestic slow bowlers, marginalizing Mujeeb in the rapidly evolving spin market.
11) Spencer Johnson (Australia)
Role: left arm fast bowler
Johnson also remained undrafted despite his strong upside and ability to generate serious speed. However, the auction trends favored domestic left-arm fast bowlers, who offered a similar skill set without consuming overseas slots. Johnson’s case highlights how even rare characteristics can be overlooked when the team composition is already determined.
Also read: IPL 2026 auction: Complete list of unsold players including base price
