What Happens to Players Who Go Unsold in the IPL Auction? Full Breakdown
Every year, the IPL (Indian Premier League) auction is full of highs and lows and mixed emotional experiences. There is celebration, stress and at times disappointment. Some individuals will hit the jackpot with a massive payday, while others may go unnoticed, even if they have the requisite skill set, experience or that their domestic league statistics are strong. Going unsold at an IPL auction is not the end of an individual’s journey, however. Many great players in IPL history have gone unsold at least once before achieving great success in IPL, including key players, bowlers, all types of players.
This article will explain what happens to players that do not get sold, and what options are available to those players, as well as discuss why being unsold at IPL is not the death of a career. The article will also highlight five noteworthy players that were first undrafted, but will later become successful.
Why Do Players Go Unsold?
In order to understand “what happens next,” it is necessary to first analyze the reasons why some players did not sell at auction. The reasons are fairly obvious and easy to identify, although they will vary depending on individual franchises. Here are some of the common issues leading to players being listed for auction but not sold:
- A player has a high priced starting base that exceeds the typical amount franchisees are looking to pay.
- Concerns about injuries that may reduce the player’s effectiveness during the season.
- Players that do not have recent performances listed on their player profiles.
- Overseas players competing against each other for very limited slots on teams.
- Teams that already have players with similar abilities/skills on their rosters.
- Changing philosophies of franchises regarding what types of players they want (i.e., a team may want to change its focus to being younger or place greater value on spin bowlers).
Despite these possible reasons a player may have gone unsold; once a player is listed as unsold, this does not mean that he is finished at that particular point.
1. Unsold Players Can Be Selected During the Accelerated Round of the IPL Auction.
Many IPL Auctions have a series of phases. When a player goes unsold in the first phase, there is still the possibility that the franchise may be able to select him during an accelerated round. At the conclusion of the auction, teams will attempt to fill any remaining gaps on their roster by choosing from a pool of players listed in the accelerated round. Most of the time, players who go unsold initially are selected during this period.
Example: Jaydev Unadkat was initially unsold and was acquired later in the accelerated round of a prior auction.
As a result of this, all players listed in the initial phase are likely to remain in the auction until it closes.
2. Replacement Players for Injuries, Withdrawing from National Duty, or Personal Issues
If anyone on your team is unable to continue playing due to injury, national duty, or any personal reason, then your team can sign a replacement player(s). Unsold auction players can be named as a possible replacement player(s). Unsold auction players are typically prioritized for replacement players because they already have everything set up for them:
1) The player(s) are registered
2) The player(s) have completed the necessary paperwork
3) The player(s) can be signed almost immediately when required by an IPL franchise.
Examples of Unsold Auction Players Successfully Being Replaced:
1. Chris Gayle was unsold at the auction but became a legendary player for RCB after being picked up as a replacement.
2. Imran Tahir was also unsold at the auction but would soon after be picked up as a match winning spinner for Delhi Daredevils.
3. Unsold Auction Players Invited to Participate in Trials Post-Auction
Each IPL franchise will have a series of trials late in December – February before the start of each IPL season. Each IPL franchise will use these trials to assess:
1) The potential of young Indian domestic players
2) The condition and fitness of older players
3) The performance of returning players since their last IPL season.
Therefore, a player who went unsold in the auction will likely receive an invitation to participate in these trials. If the player impresses during the trial(s), the IPL franchises can sign the player(s) as replacement players quickly after the trial(s).
4. They Return to Domestic Cricket to Prove Form
Players who go unsold don’t sit idle. Instead, they return to tournaments like:
- Ranji Trophy
- Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy
- Local T20 leagues (TNPL, KPL, UP T20, etc.)
Strong performances here dramatically increase the chances of being picked in the next season.
A perfect example is:
- Rinku Singh – was unsold multiple times before finally being picked by KKR, and today he is one of the most exciting finishers in India.
Performances matter, and domestic cricket is often the gateway back into IPL squads.
5. Franchises Often Scout Unsold Players for Future Seasons
IPL teams use professional scouting networks. Even if a player goes unsold in the current season, scouts keep track of:
- Form
- Age
- Potential
- Skill development
This is how players like:
were closely monitored before making an impact.
Franchises are always thinking long-term. If a talent looks promising, they may revisit them in the next auction regardless of being unsold previously.
6. There Are Some Players Who Are Picking Up Higher Values for Future Auctions
Surprisingly, at times, players going unsold actually gives them a chance to reset their values. High starting prices (Base Prices) often turn off potential buying teams, and with a new Base Price the following season, those players again become viable and attractive purchasing opportunities.
Examples of this phenomenon:
Cheteshwar Pujara, has gone unsold multiple times, and was picked up by CSK for the 2021 season.
Sean Abbott, went unsold and came back and obtained a contract later.
This trend is the same for both Allrounders and Overseas Pace Bowlers.
7. The Psychological Effect of the IPL Auction on Players
The IPL auction is an enormous financial opportunity; however, the emotional aspect of the auction can affect a player’s performance as well. To go unsold, especially for young cricketers, can be very disheartening.
In order to deal with the after-effects of the auction process, players seek assistance from their Support Staff (Aka Coaches), Domestic Coaches, and Sports Psychologists, among others.
The experienced players on their respective teams often remind them that Going Unsold is not the end of their career, and many stars that went unsold have become Superstars.
Five Renowned Players Who Were Once Unsold
There have been many famous players in the history of IPL who faced a situation of being unsold.
1. Chris Gayle
In 2011, Gayle was unsold but later joined RCB as a replacement and became one of the most successful legends of IPL.
2. Imran Tahir
After being initially unsold, he was signed as a replacement and went on to win the Purple Cap as the highest wicket-taker in IPL.
3. Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh has been unsold on several occasions before finally finding success with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
4. Jaydev Unadkat
At times throughout various seasons of IPL, he has been unsold before being acquired for a very high price during the accelerated auction process.
5. Cheteshwar Pujara
Like the rest of the players, Pujara has also been unsold multiple times before being signed by the Chennai Super Kings. Each of these unsold players has had an incredible and unforgettable comeback in their IPL career.
Conclusion
Being unsold at the IPL auction does not preclude one’s luck in the sport but can limit the direction someone might go on their cricketing journey. Cricket is a lengthy journey, and while unsold players may not have any route to take right now, there will always be opportunities available to them:
- Accelerated Rounds
- Replacement Signings
- Domestic Cricket Performances
- Franchise Trials
- Next-Year Auctions
Many of the top stars in the IPL today were once passed over in the auction and, with time, effort, and chance, can continue to develop and re-establish themselves as valuable contributors to the league and the franchise they belong to.