IPL 2018 auction: An XI of top players who went unsold

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016:  South Africa v England

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the most expensive buy at Rs 12.50 crores by Rajasthan Royals while left-arm quick Jaydev Unadkat became the most expensive Indian player when he was snapped up by the same franchise for Rs 11.50 crores.

However, as is always the case in IPL player auctions, there were quite a few surprises in terms of experienced international cricketers going unsold despite being called out for the second time or in some cases even a third time.

So, here is a look the best possible XI from the unsold players during the player auctions.


Openers

Hashim Amla

Brought in as a replacement for the injured Shaun Marsh in the 2016 season, the South African batsman was terrific last season for Kings XI Punjab as he amassed 420 runs in 10 games that included two hundreds and two fifties.

Even though he is considered a conventional batsman, Hashim Amla has been prolific in recent years in white ball cricket and is someone who excels by playing proper cricketing strokes. So, the lack of interest shown by all the eight teams came as a little bit of surprise to many.


Martin Guptill

CLT20 2012 Group A - Kolkata Knight Riders v Auckland Aces

One of the most destructive openers, Martin Guptill’s ability or the lack of it to force the issue in Indian conditions went against him.

Guptill didn’t do his reputation any good during the last season when he was bought by Kings XI Punjab at the last minute for his base price of Rs 50 lakhs. He finished the season with only 189 runs in 10 innings with a lone fifty.

Middle order

Joe Root

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016:  South Africa v England

England’s Test captain, who’s never played T20 leagues around the world surprisingly went unsold in the players’ auction. Known to play in a more orthodox fashion, Root didn’t find any takers among the eight franchises.

The withdrawal from England’s T20I squad against Australia and New Zealand in the tri-series didn’t help his cause either.


Shaun Marsh

Australia v India - Game 2

One of the key batsmen in Kings XI Punjab line up for the past 10 years, the franchise showed no interest in picking the Australian Shaun Marsh this time around.

The stylish left-hander scored 264 runs last season including a couple of fifties. One eye on the future has been the mantra of most IPL sides and that might have gone against the 34- year old.


Travis Head

Australia v New Zealand - ODI Game 1

The Australian left-handed batsman who played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2017 season was surprisingly unsold during the player auctions.

Known for his pyrotechnics in the shortest format of the game and for someone who is a big hit in the Australian T20 league, the choice of not picking him might be due to the left hander’s struggle against slow bowling.

All-rounder & Wicket-keeper

Corey Anderson

New Zealand v Australia - 1st ODI

Surprisingly, none of the eight teams showed interest in Anderson, who has a decent record in T20s and also in Indian conditions.

But over the last three years, his numbers in the IPL have been coming down and that might have gone against the Kiwi left-hander.


Niroshan Dickwella

Pakistan v Sri Lanka - ODI

At a base price of Rs 50 lakhs, this Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman was expected to be bought by any of the franchises. More so because of his experience playing in India recently.

Possibly, the dynamics of the team combination which allow teams to field only four foreign players would have gone against the Sri Lankan. Most teams were looking to pick uncapped young Indian wicketkeepers, even though at a slightly higher price.

Dickwella will have to wait for one more year to make a mark in the IPL.

Pacers and spinners

Dale Steyn

2018 SA v India: South African national cricket team training session

The South African speedster is one of the best to have played the game in recent times, but injuries have played a huge role in Dale Steyn’s absence from the Indian Premier League.

Steyn has not been a regular in the last couple of seasons and was released by Rising Pune Supergiant before last year’s IPL season. With so many injury concerns, teams’ reluctance to pick him was quite understandable.


Lasith Malinga

Sri Lanka v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy

The leading wicket-taker in IPL history, Lasith Malinga didn’t have any takers during this year’s player auctions. The Sri Lankan slinger has picked up 154 wickets from 110 matches, 20 wickets more than the second-placed Amit Mishra.

Since his surgery in December 2015, Malinga hasn’t been as menacing and as a result of poor form, he has been dropped from Sri Lanka side as well. Hence current form and his age (34) went against him.


Ishant Sharma

India Training Session

One of the key architects for Team India's victory in Johannesburg recently, Ishant Sharma’s exploits in white ball cricket have not been as impressive. Having gone unsold during the auctions last season, he was later picked up by Kings XI Punjab as a replacement for the injured Murali Vijay.

The tall right arm fast bowler once again did not have any takers in this year’s player auctions which didn’t come as surprise to many but Ishant would be hoping for something like last year just to be a part of this world class league.


Adam Zampa

Australia v Sri Lanka - 1st T20

The 24-year old Australian leg-spinner got the first taste of IPL in 2016 when he played under MS Dhoni for Rising Pune Supergiant. Zampa was quite handy and one of the very few success stories in an otherwise poor campaign for the Pune side.

Zampa would have expected to be a part of this year’s IPL as well because wrist spinners are currently the hottest properties in T20 leagues around the world but surprisingly, there were no takers for him.

Get Lightning Fast Live Cricket Scores of your Favourite Matches only on the Cric Rocket App

Quick Links

Edited by Sankalp Srivastava