IPL 2025: Biggest Snubs from the Draft

The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) Draft is done and dusted giving the fans a glimpse of what awaits them next year. While the Auction proved fruitful for some lowkey players, it also left some of the biggest names in cricket without a franchise for next year.

Here are some top players who did not get to hear their names called during the 2025 IPL Draft.

David Warner (Base Price: Rs 2 crore INR)
The curtain falls on one of the most remarkable IPL careers as David Warner found no takers at the auction. The former Australian opener, priced at Rs 2 crore, did not even return for the accelerated round in Jeddah. Could this mean we’ll see him take on a new role as a commentator?

Kane Williamson (Base Price: Rs 2 crore INR)
Kane Williamson’s exclusion was expected. The former SunRisers Hyderabad captain has featured in only three IPL matches over the last two years. Despite being fit, he played just two games for Gujarat Titans in 2024. His high base price may have deterred potential buyers.

Jonny Bairstow (Base Price: Rs 2 crore INR)
Known as one of the most dangerous openers in IPL history, Jonny Bairstow’s recent dip in form played against him. The Englishman, who has represented SunRisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in 50 matches, struggled over the past two seasons, leaving franchises uninterested in his services.

Prithvi Shaw (Base Price: Rs 75 lakh INR)
Prithvi Shaw’s IPL journey hit a rough patch as no teams bid for the opener after his release by Delhi Capitals. Over the last two seasons, Shaw played just 16 matches, scoring only 198 runs. Concerns over his fitness and off-field controversies further diminished his appeal.

Piyush Chawla (Base Price: Rs 50 lakh INR)
The IPL seems to have bid farewell to one of its legendary spinners, Piyush Chawla. The 35-year-old, who was Mumbai Indians’ lead spinner in 2023 and 2024, did not attract any bids despite his impressive career tally of 192 wickets in as many matches.

Shardul Thakur (Base Price: Rs 2 crore INR)
Shardul Thakur’s omission came as a shock. Known for his exploits with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, injury issues and a lackluster 2024 season (five wickets in nine matches) likely contributed to teams passing on the all-rounder. Coming on Day 2 of the auction, when funds were tight, also hurt his chances.

Mayank Agarwal (Base Price: Rs 1 crore INR)
Mayank Agarwal, once a reliable opener, has seen his opportunities dwindle. Having moved from Punjab Kings to SunRisers Hyderabad in recent years, his lack of impact—playing just four matches in the 2024 season—resulted in him going unsold.

James Anderson (Base Price: Rs 1.25 crore INR)
Making his first-ever appearance in the IPL auction after retiring from Test cricket, James Anderson surprisingly failed to attract a single bid. Even Chennai Super Kings, known for backing experienced players, did not show interest in the legendary English pacer.

Navdeep Saini (Base Price: Rs 75 lakh INR)
One of India’s fastest bowlers, Navdeep Saini, missed out on IPL action yet again. Despite his solid form in domestic cricket, teams overlooked him, likely due to his absence in the 2024 IPL season.

Sarfaraz Khan (Base Price: Rs 50 lakh INR)
Despite a breakthrough year in Test cricket, Sarfaraz Khan failed to land an IPL deal. Last seen in the league in 2023 for Delhi Capitals, Sarfaraz began his IPL journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2015, playing 25 matches over three seasons but never truly cementing his place.

Other Noteworthy Names Absent from IPL 2025: