5 players who regretted entering the IPL auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction is just around the corner, scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Every auction brings dramatic surprises, from uncapped players earning life-changing contracts to established stars missing out entirely. While some players hit the jackpot, such as Rishabh Pant going for a staggering INR 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, others suffer the disappointment of going unsold.

For many of them, entering the auction turns into a decision they likely regret. Here, we look at five players who have regretted entering the IPL auction after going unsold, despite having notable achievements and strong reputations in world cricket.

Here are top 5 players who regretted entering the IPL auction

Prithvi Shaw

India batter Prithvi Shaw went unsold in the first round of the IPL 2025 mega auction, marking one of the most shocking moments of the event. Shaw had set his base price at INR 75 lakh, reducing it in hopes of attracting bidders after a lean period with the Delhi Capitals. However, even after lowering his price, the opener failed to draw any interest from franchises in the Jeddah auction.

Shaw had been associated with Delhi Capitals since 2018, when the franchise secured him for INR 1.2 crore. Once considered one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, Shaw’s declining form, fitness concerns, and inconsistent domestic returns contributed to this setback. For the youngster, going unsold despite adjusting his base price would undoubtedly be a major regret.

James Anderson

England’s legendary fast bowler James Anderson also found himself unsold during the IPL auction, a decision that raised eyebrows even before the event began. The 42-year-old, who is England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, had not featured in white-ball internationals since 2015. His last T20I appearance came more than 15 years ago, making him one of the least likely picks for a format driven by youth and match fitness.

Entering the auction as the oldest player, Anderson listed his base price at INR 1.25 crore. After failing to receive bids in the initial rounds, his name was not even included in the accelerated round requested by teams. For a bowler of his stature, registering for the auction only to go unsold was a move that resulted in a huge disappointment and regret.

Kane Williamson

Another surprising unsold name at the IPL 2025 mega auction was New Zealand star Kane Williamson. He is known for his calmness and classical batting technique, the right-handed batter made his IPL debut in 2015 and enjoyed his peak season in 2018 with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), scoring 735 runs and winning the prestigious Orange Cap.

He later joined Gujarat Titans (GT) for INR 2 crore. Across 79 IPL matches, he accumulated 2128 runs and played pivotal roles for his teams. Despite his reputation and past achievements, franchises chose not to invest in him for 2025, likely due to strike-rate concerns and recurrent injuries.

Steven Smith

Steve Smith also faced auction disappointment after failing to secure a bid in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He had registered at a base price of INR 2 crore but found no takers, similar to his experience in the 2024 auction.

Smith last played in the IPL in 2021 and represented four different franchises throughout his career, scoring 2485 runs in 103 matches. Despite his strong reputation and leadership background, the consecutive unsold outcomes represent a major regret for the Australian cricketer.

David Warner

David Warner, one of the greatest overseas players in IPL history, going unsold in the 2025 mega auction was arguably the biggest shock of all. With a base price of INR 2 crore, Warner surprisingly failed to attract any interest. Warner’s IPL journey began with Delhi Daredevils before he moved to SRH, where he lifted the trophy in 2016.

He later returned to Delhi Capitals but struggled for consistency in later seasons. Across 184 matches, Warner amassed 6565 runs at an exceptional average of 40.52, including four centuries and 62 half-centuries. His unsold status stunned fans and analysts alike, making his decision to enter the auction one he may deeply regret.