Many players who have achieved countless successes in the shortest format of the game may be seen in the IPL mini-auction for the last time. Either these players have aged or are out of form and are no longer on the priority list of the franchise.
Over the years, many players have played in the IPL and made significant contributions to their franchises. However, after one stint, they have all moved away from the major competition, and some of the big names in this mini-auction may also signal the end of their IPL careers this time.
Recently, two legendary IPL players Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell have stepped away from the IPL, although they have not officially retired, but have withdrawn their names from the IPL auction.
These players can enter their last IPL auction:
3. Steve Smith
Australian batsman Steve Smith is often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket; However, despite his great status, he has not been a T20 masterclass, and due to advancing age and lack of T20 form, he has been dropped from an IPL contract on several occasions.
Smith last played in the IPL in 2021 and has been unsold on several occasions since then. Steve Smith also joined the IPL as an expert commentator, but continued to play this format with the hope of representing his national team at the Olympics.
However, for the 36-year-old veteran, it can be confirmed that he can write his name on the auction list for the last time, and without any bids, he can move on from the tournament.
2. Jonny Bairstow
Unlike Steve Smith, the England wicketkeeper batsman was known as a masterclass cricketer in this format of the game. Bairstow played in all three formats for England and was known as an explosive option.
Bairstow also represented Mumbai Indians last season and produced some stellar performances. He was in great form during his SRH days with David Warner and then moved to Punjab Kings, where he scored a record century in the highest IPL chase ever.
Jonny Bairstow may be in his last auction and may not continue starring in the IPL from the next edition. However, he could be on the books for teams like KKR, who are looking for an opening wicketkeeper batsman.
1. David Miller
A true veteran of the IPL, a match-winning finisher who contributed to the success of many franchises. South Africa’s left-handed middle-order batsman David Miller has been racking up numbers in his age column and has been suffering from questionable fitness in recent tournaments.
Miller last appeared for LSG in IPL 2025, but could not make the impact on the game that he usually does. With limited runs since then and poor performances in international cricket, Miller may be nearing the end of his IPL career after his former PBKS teammate Glenn Maxwell.
However, unlike Steve Smith, David Miller is unlikely to go unsold in the auction, given his prior performance in the format. But at the same time he can enter the auction for the last time.
Also read: Cricket Australia sends emergency delegation to Lahore as security fears peak ahead of T20I series