The IPL 2021 auctions managed to raise everyone’s eyebrows. Despite various players getting an IPL contract, a few world class players missed out. It was shocking to say the least that players of their calibre failed to get an IPL contract. Today we shall be making a playing XI of various players who went Unsold in the IPL 2021 auctions. This team could very well challenge any IPL franchise.
1) Jason Roy:
Jason Roy is one of the best LOI openers of the modern era. It was shocking to see a player like him go unsold, given his capabilities to clear the ropes at will any team would love to have a player like him.
2) Alex Hales:
Alex Hales has been in red hot form to say the least. Despite his incredible success in the recently concluded Big Bash League, where he topped the run charts. Hales made 543 runs, striking at 161.60, and was the standout player for Sydney Thunder. However, with the IPL teams jammed full with top-order batsmen, Hales failed to attract any bids. He, however, opens the batting in the unsold XI from the IPL 2021 auction.
3) Aaron Finch(C):
The Australian limited-overs skipper was expected to sign a deal, however he had no takers at a base price of INR 1 crore. Owner of two of the three highest scores in T20I cricket, Finch is resigned to opening the batting, and skippering the side, for the unsold XI.
4) Hanuma Vihari:
India’s hero from the Sydney Test found no bidders this auction. Despite being a Test specialist it was shocking to see him going unsold as he could be a good anchor to any team.
5) Gurkeerat Singh:
Who wouldn’t want an Indian middle order player who could bowl a few overs as well? It was unexpected to see Mann going unsold as he has been a regular face in IPL. He even represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020
6) Thisara Perera:
Among T20 batsmen to bat more than 20 times since 2018, Thisara Perera has the second-best strike-rate behind Andre Russell. Yet, the Sri Lankan found no bidders in the IPL 2021 auction. With all-round potential as another upside, the lack of interest around Perera was a tad surprising. He will be a sixth bowling option in this unsold XI.
7) Glenn Phillips(WK):
The New Zealand wicketkeeper batsman cracked the fastest hundred in T20Is by a player from his country just two months back, but had no bidders for him at the IPL auction. The 24-year-old Phillips was priced at just INR 50 lakh to start with, but despite the low base price and excellent T20 numbers, he failed to make the cut.
8) Chris Green:
Australia’s freelance cricketer, Chris Green has had a great time in franchise cricket around the globe. With demand for overseas spinners slim in the Indian Premier League, Green found no takers this auction. He is zeroed in to bowl in the powerplay with the new ball in this unsold XI.
9) Sandeep Lamichhane:
The pride of Nepal went unsold this time around and this has shocked the entire cricket fraternity. He went in the category of unsold players in the IPL 2021 auction despite promising numbers in T20 cricket. In 96 T20s, he has 125 wickets at an economy of 6.79 and is a genuine wicket-taker who doesn’t leak a lot of runs. He will be the lead spinner in this unsold XI.
10) Ankit Rajpoot:
A powerplay bowler with impressive numbers, Ankit Rajpoot was impactful with his new ball spells when teams did give him a chance upfront. After a poor season in 2020, where he conceded runs at 11.70 per over, Rajpoot found no takers in the IPL 2021 auction. But, his new ball skills remain valuable and he will be in the unsold XI to tackle the powerplay overs primarily.
11) Jason Behrendorff:
With 16 wickets in 16 games and an economy of just over seven, Behrendorff had a good season with the Perch Scorchers. A good option at the top and in the death, Behrendorff would have been a good pick for franchises playing on quicker decks at home. However, he remained unsold at the auctions, but finds a place in the unsold XI as the premier fast bowler.