The IPL 2026 Mini Auction, held in Abu Dhabi, proved once again that reputation and past performance don’t guarantee a contract. While some players commanded record-breaking prices, a surprising number of high-profile cricketers with prominent T20I pedigree went unsold in the initial rounds, leading to the creation of a very strong ‘Unsold XI‘ for IPL 2026 season.
This team is composed of players who, for various reasons—be it team balance, high base price, or a recent dip in form—failed to attract a bid from the 10 franchises.
The most notable snub in the batting department was Devon Conway (Batter). A reliable top-order batsman for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in previous seasons, Conway’s consistency was unmatched, yet he surprisingly went unsold at his base price of ₹2.00 Crore. The franchises seemed to prioritise more dynamic overseas openers or already had their quotas filled.
Another shock was Jake Fraser-McGurk (Batter), previously with Delhi Capitals (DC), who, despite his explosive young talent, was ignored at his base price of ₹1.50 Crore. His up-and-down performances in the season preceding the auction likely played a part in the franchises’ reluctance.
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The all-rounders section saw two major players miss out for IPL 2026. England’s destructive T20I player, Liam Livingstone (All-rounder/Leg-Spin), who was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), failed to get any bids at his ₹2.00 Crore base price in the initial sets, a baffling outcome for a player of his calibre.
Similarly, the Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda (All-rounder/Off-Spin), who was with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), went unsold at his base price of ₹75 Lakhs, a low figure for an established Indian player, suggesting a strong focus on younger, uncapped Indian all-rounders instead.
In the wicketkeeping slots, two proven names found no takers for IPL 2026. Jonny Bairstow (Wicketkeeper-Batter), a destructive opener and former Mumbai Indians (MI) player, remained unsold at his base price of ₹1.00 Crore. Alongside him is Jamie Smith (Wicketkeeper-Batter), another overseas option who was ignored at ₹2.00 Crore. The demand for specific overseas keeper roles appears to have been limited.
The Unsold XI’s bowling attack features a mix of international and domestic talent. The left-arm pace of Chetan Sakariya (Bowler/Left-arm Medium-Fast), formerly with Delhi Capitals, was not in demand at his base price of ₹75 Lakhs.
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Joining him is Akash Madhwal (Bowler/Right-arm Fast-Medium), a former Mumbai Indians speedster, who went unsold at his very modest base price of ₹30 Lakhs, despite his capability as a domestic death bowler.
Rounding out the pace unit is the express South African pacer, Lungi Ngidi (Bowler/Fast-Medium), who was left without a team for IPL 2026 season at his ₹2.00 Crore base price.
The spin department is covered by two experienced mystery spinners: Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Bowler/Off-Spin), who was with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Maheesh Theekshana (Bowler/Off-Spin), a former Chennai Super Kings player. Both were overlooked at their respective ₹2.00 Crore base prices, indicating a possible market preference for wrist-spin or lower-cost domestic finger spinners.