IPL auction 2016: 5 players who are likely to go unsold

Saturday, 6 February 2015 is a date that many will be looking forward to. Not just the fans of the eight IPL teams, who will be eagerly waiting to see which players their team signs, but also for the 351 players who will go under the hammer in the IPL Auction 2016.Also read: IPL 2016: Teams and full players listWhile some players, like Kevin Pietersen and Shane Watson will automatically be snapped and are likely to go for a lot of money, the same cannot be said for every player. In fact, at the end of Saturday's auction, more players will be disappointed than happy as most of them are likely to go unsold.Also read: Want to win free IPL 9 match tickets? The Vivo IPL Dubsmash Contest is hereWhile much of it is down to the fact that the squad of each team isn't unlimited, this auction is likely to see many stars go unsold. Here are 5 players who are likely to go unsold at the IPL auctions 2016

#1 Brad Haddin

Haddin is likely to fall victim to younger and cheaper alternatives

Brad Haddin may have announced his retirement from international cricket, but as his performances in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers showed, he still has plenty to offer. Unfortunately for the former Australian wicketkeeper, his age and his high base price is likely to mean that he goes unsold.

While Haddin's base price of 1.5 crore isn't exorbitant, it is certainly on the higher end of the spectrum. When you consider that there are other foreign keepers, like Sam Billings and Ben Dunk, who are not only younger but might only cost a fraction of Haddin's price, then it is easy to see why he might go unsold.

There are not only plenty of cheaper alternatives but the biggest thing going against Haddin is Jos Buttler, who announced his intention to play in this year's IPL. Having scored a century just a few days before the auction, he will certainly be on everyone's minds and the fact that he is a younger and better player than Haddin is likely to mean teams go for him rather than Haddin, although both have the same base price.

#2 Hashim Amla

Will the former South African skipper ever play in the IPL?

Throughout his career, Hashim Amla has been battling against public perception. Ever since he burst onto the scene, although his numbers say otherwise, people have been quick to stereotype him as a Test batsman. That is perhaps one of the reasons why Amla has never played in the IPL.

Another reason for his non-selection in the IPL, aside from the fact that he might simply not be fashionable enough, might be his middling T20 record. An average of almost 29 and a strike rate of 123 might be decent, but when you can only play four foreigners, Amla's inability to win a match on his own in the shortest format is something that is held against him.

While his base price of 1 crore might discourage some suitors, ultimately it is down to the fact that he isn't a match-winner in the T20 format that might mean that the former South African captain remains unsold in this year's auction as well.

#3 James Pattinson

Pattinson’s injury record might go against him being picked

Despite only being 25, James Pattinson has already suffered more injuries and been out of action for longer than most players in their entire careers. Although he is currently fit and returned back to action in the Sheffield Shield and picked up two wickets against Tasmania, his injury record, which has meant he has only played 35 international matches in almost five years means he is likely to go unsold.

While some team might be tempted to take a gamble on the Australian pacer, the fact that he has a base price of 1.5 crore, might discourage them from doing so. Especially given his track record of injuries and also because in T20s, his numbers are anything but remarkable.

While it is true that in the last auction, Kolkata Knight Riders bought KC Cariappa, an unknown spinner, for 2.4 crore, all evidence points towards Pattinson being unsold.

#4 Mahela Jayawardene

Jayawardene might suffer another snub

Despite having a lot of experience playing in both the IPL and in the international arena, Mahela Jayawardene was snubbed last year in the IPL auction. Since then, although he has done well at both Sussex, for whom he played in the Natwest T20 Blast and Adelaide Strikers, in the BBL, he is also a year older and at 38, teams will have to think twice before signing him.

Although his numbers in the T20 format are good, his age and his 1.5 crore base price is likely to mean that he might go unsold once again this year. The fact that he is playing well in the inaugural Masters Champions League might persuade a team or two to put in a cheeky bid, but the fact that there are plenty of younger and more versatile players, who are cheaper might put a dent in that.

Perhaps, like his former teammate, Kumar Sangakkara, Jayawardene might have been tempted to opt out of the auction but he hasn't and that means he might have to suffer the heartbreak of not being picked once again.

#5 Owais Shah

The end of Shah’s IPL career may already be upon us

If you are looking at just the numbers and nothing else, there is a fair argument to be made that, of all the players on this list, Owais Shah is the most likely to be sold. He has not only scored over 5,500 runs in T20s but has done so at an average of almost 33 and a strike rate of 125. He brings a wealth of experience and is a very useful middle-order batsman.

Unfortunately, the numbers aren't the only things that the franchisees will be looking at. Even if they are, there is another number that will make them think twice before shelling out the cash to buy Shah, his age. At 37, Shah is one of the oldest players in the auction and while that might not matter now the fact that he will be 40 at the end of his contract might dissuade some.

Also, Shah hasn't been as prolific of late and his base price of 1 crore might also make teams think twice. As a result, despite impressive numbers, Shah is likely to remain unsold.