The IPL 2025 Mega Auction had its surprises. High-profile players, like Kane Williamson, Ajinkya Rahane, and Glenn Phillips, went unsold. Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis, Rovman Powell, and Sam Curran joined new franchises. This drew fans’ and analysts’ attention.
The auction, highly anticipated, saw fierce bidding for some players. Others, though, struggled to attract any interest. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the highlights from the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Big Names Go Unsold
A big surprise of the IPL 2025 mega auction was the lack of bids for Kane Williamson, who had played for the Gujarat Titans. Despite being a top batter in world cricket, franchises looked elsewhere. The New Zealand star was left without a team.
Other notable players who went unsold included:
- Ajinkya Rahane: The experienced Indian batter failed to find a buyer.
- Glenn Phillips: The hard-hitting New Zealand batter was another surprise omission.
- Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw: Both prominent Indian batters were left without takers.
- Daryl Mitchell: The versatile New Zealand all-rounder also remained unsold.
- Shardul Thakur: The Indian all-rounder failed to attract any bids in the capped category.
Full Summary of Unsold Players
Top Unsold Players:
- Kane Williamson
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Glenn Phillips
- Daryl Mitchell
- Prithvi Shaw
- Mayank Agarwal
- Shardul Thakur
Analysis: Strategic Picks Dominate
The IPL 2025 mega auction showed a shift in franchise priorities. They favored current form, all-round skills, and youth over past reputations. Players with all-round skills, like Marco Jansen and Sam Curran, got high prices. But, experienced batters like Kane Williamson and Ajinkya Rahane struggled to find buyers.
Teams are now more focused on building balanced, adaptable squads for modern T20 demands. With several matches to play in diverse conditions, these picks could define the IPL season.
