IPL 2025: Ollie Pope And...? 3 English Stars Who Went Unsold In Mega Auction

Rajgeeta

List Of England Player Who Went Unsold In IPL 2025 Mega Auction [Source: @OPope32/X.com]List Of England Player Who Went Unsold In IPL 2025 Mega Auction [Source: @OPope32/X.com]

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The IPL 2025 mega auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was a grand affair where all 10 franchises spent a staggering ₹639.15 crore. Over two days, a total of 182 players, including 62 overseas cricketers, found new teams. However, despite the heavy spending, not everyone was lucky to secure a spot in the tournament. 

Among those who went unsold were three prominent England players currently part of the Test squad for the New Zealand series.

Players
Base Price (INR)
Ollie Pope 75 Lakhs
Ben Duckett2 Crore
Gus Atkinson
2 Crore

Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope, who set his base price at ₹75 lakh, failed to attract any bids despite his strong performances in Test cricket. The primary reason could be his lack of experience in T20 Internationals. Pope has yet to make his debut in the shortest format, which might have made teams cautious. His T20 numbers, though decent, reflect his limited exposure to high-pressure leagues like the IPL. 

In 58 innings, the right-handed batter has scored 1,314 runs at a strike rate of 132.45, including four half-centuries. Without any IPL experience, franchises likely found it risky to invest in him for the tournament.

Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett, another England player who went unsold, had a base price of ₹2 crore. Known for his aggressive batting in Test cricket, Duckett has shown glimpses of brilliance in T20 Internationals as well. He has scored 315 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 145.16, with a top score of 70*. Despite his impressive stats, the high base price and his relatively limited exposure in T20 leagues might have worked against him. 

Gus Atkinson

Gus Atkinson, the right-arm fast bowler, also entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore but he remained unsold. Atkinson was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in IPL 2024, bought for ₹1 crore, but he withdrew before playing any matches due to workload management. While his pace and skills are highly regarded, the competition among overseas fast bowlers in the auction was fierce. Teams often prioritize cost-effective options or players with a consistent IPL history, which might have made Atkinson’s high base price a sticking point.