IPL 2026 Auction: Star Players Teams Might Ignore On Purpose
Published - 10 Dec 2025, 03:35 PM | Updated - 10 Dec 2025, 03:41 PM
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the official shortlist of cricketers for the 2026 IPL mini auction, which is set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. All ten franchises have submitted their retention lists, and they will try to fill the remaining gaps in their squads during the auction.
Several big names who were released to free up salary space have registered for the auction. Most of them have returned to the pool in search of fresh bids. The original registration list had more than a thousand players, but after discussions with teams, it was trimmed to 350, and late additions have also been made.
While many overseas stars attract attention, several big names may still go unsold. Form concerns, team combinations, and shifting franchise strategies could all play a role in shaping their fate.
Star Players Teams Might Ignore On Purpose At IPL 2026 Auction:
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Jake Fraser-McGurk had a tough IPL season in 2025. He had an amazing debut year in 2024, where he scored quickly and looked like a future star. However, his form dropped as he scored only 55 runs in six matches for the Delhi Capitals, and the team decided to release him.
Even though his numbers were poor last season, Jake is still only 23 and has a lot of talent. Many teams know he can hit the ball hard and change a match if he gets going.
Some franchises looking to build for the future may still show interest. But his base price of ₹2 crore is high, so there is also a chance that teams could hesitate, and he might go unsold.
Steve Smith and Ben Duckett
Steve Smith and Ben Duckett are two overseas batters who might go unsold in the auction. Smith impressed with his batting performances in the BBL and MLC. However, he hasn’t played in the IPL since 2021. Teams could still show interest if they are willing to invest at his base price of ₹2 crore.
Ben Duckett is a dependable opener for England across formats and has been in excellent form in white-ball cricket. He went unsold in the previous IPL mega auction. Duckett also brings experience from tournaments like the BBL and The Hundred. However, teams might hesitate due to his availability issues.
Kyle Jamieson and Anrich Nortje
Teams may choose to overlook Kyle Jamieson and Anrich Nortje despite their reputations. Nortje clocked the fastest ball in the league back in 2020 and played a huge role in Delhi Capitals’ run to the final that year.
However, he managed to play only two matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2025. His pace remains a weapon, but his fitness record may make franchises cautious.
Jamieson’s IPL journey has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries, forcing him to miss the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He returned with Punjab Kings in 2025, taking five wickets in four games, but questions remain about his durability.
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
