IPL auction 2025: James Anderson — Reeza Hendricks, 7 big names who might remain unsold despite the hype

IPL 2025 auction: James Anderson — Reeza Hendricks, 7 big names who might remain unsold despite the hype

All eyes are on Jeddah as the highly anticipated two-day IPL 2025 mega auction is set to take place. The ten participating franchises have already revealed their retention lists and are now preparing to strengthen their squads around the core group of retained players. The IPL auction is always full of surprises, with its ever-changing dynamics and a range of factors influencing the bidding.

This year's auction will feature a mix of world-class cricketers and exciting young talent up for grabs. However, with limited slots and intense competition, not everyone will find a team. History has shown that even big names can go unsold, while uncapped players occasionally secure groundbreaking deals. Stars like Steve Smith and Joe Root have gone unsold in previous auctions, proving that marquee players are not guaranteed a spot.

Also Read | KL Rahul reflects on Sanjiv Goenka's outburst post SRH hammering: 'Wasn't the nicest thing, affected the entire group'

In this listicle, we look at the seven high-profile players who might remain unsold in the upcoming auction.

James Anderson

A surprising and unexpected entry in the auction, James Anderson, who last played a T20 match in 2014, has put his name forward with a base price of ₹1.25 crore. At 42 years old and recently retired from white-ball cricket, Anderson finds himself competing against younger, fitter, and more experienced T20 bowlers in the auction pool. Having never featured in the IPL, it seems unlikely that this Test cricket stalwart will make his debut now—unless a team like Chennai Super Kings pulls off a surprise, as they did with Cheteshwar Pujara. However, the chances of such a move appear slim at best.

Chris Lynn

The days when Chris Lynn could effortlessly smash the ball out of the park and provide his team with explosive starts in the powerplay seem to be behind him. His recent underwhelming performances in the Big Bash League (BBL) have further dimmed his appeal in the T20 circuit. With an abundance of top-order batters available in the IPL auction, the former KKR star might once again find himself without a buyer.

Also Read | 'I would want Rajasthan Royals to bid for me': Released CSK star ahead of IPL 2025 auction

Tabraiz Shamsi

Recent IPL trends suggest that franchises are leaning more towards building an Indian spin core rather than relying on overseas spinners. Even when teams do pursue foreign spinners, they usually target elite options like Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Adam Zampa, or Adil Rashid. Unfortunately, Tabraiz Shamsi doesn’t quite fit into that category. Although he once held the No. 1 ranking for ICC T20I bowlers, his stock in T20 cricket has declined due to inconsistency and a tendency to leak runs. After being underutilised by RCB and overlooked by the Rajasthan Royals, Shamsi might still find a spot if a team seeks a left-arm wrist spinner. However, whether any franchise is willing to invest ₹2 crore in a 35-year-old spinner remains highly uncertain.

Ish Sodhi

Sodhi has been a consistent member of New Zealand’s T20I squad and is widely regarded as one of their top spinners. With over 100 T20 appearances for his country, Sodhi boasts an impressive international record. However, he has surprisingly featured in only eight IPL matches, despite performing well in those games by taking nine wickets at an economy rate of under seven runs per over. His limited IPL experience could be a factor behind his exclusion, especially with franchises eyeing younger and exciting prospects like Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, and Suyash Sharma.

Akeal Hosein

Akeal has been West Indies' first-choice spinner in T20Is for the past 2-3 years. The left-arm spinner is a smart operator, known for his effectiveness both in the Powerplay and the middle overs. Despite his rise in the T20 circuit, he has yet to grab the attention of IPL franchises. Last year, he went unsold with a base price of ₹50 lakh, and with his base price set at ₹1.50 crore this time, he might once again find himself without a buyer.

IPL auction 2025: Jos Buttler — Quinton de Kock, 7 overseas players who will trigger bidding war

Reeza Hendricks

The current form of the South African batter may pose a significant challenge to his chances of being selected in the auction. As mentioned above, the market is flooded with a wide array of top-order batters, making it increasingly difficult for him to stand out. In addition, his lack of experience in the IPL, combined with his advancing age, could further work against him, limiting his appeal to franchises looking for both immediate impact and long-term potential.

Ishant Sharma

Franchises tend to shy away from ageing fast bowlers, especially when they’re focused on building squads that can compete for titles in the long run. Instead of investing in a player nearing the end of their career, teams often prioritise younger talents who offer long-term potential. Despite Ishant’s commendable performances in the previous season, he is unlikely to attract bids in the upcoming auction. His history of injuries further diminishes his chances of securing a deal.

In exclusive arrangement with RevSportz