Riches to rags: RCB, CSK and MI released players who might go unsold in IPL 2026 auction

Mayank Agarwal was a part of RCB's IPL 2025 squad [Source: AFP]

The IPL retention lists have been revealed, and teams are awaiting the mini auction to fine-tune their respective squads with strategic signings. Talking about Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the three most followed IPL franchises would like to refine their existing squads with minute tweaks. However, some players released by these three teams might not attract any bidder due to a few valid reasons, as explained below.  

Reece Topley

Why could Reece Topley go unsold in IPL 2026 auction? 

(Reece Topley's IPL record)

• As evidenced by the above stats, Reece Topley has yet to prove his mettle in the Indian Premier League. The left-arm pacer has managed only five wickets across six matches at a terrible average of 44.40. He has conceded runs at an economy of 11.10, showcasing his inability to control the flow of runs. 
• Although Topley was a part of the Mumbai Indians squad, he played a solitary game in the 2025 season, going wicketless for 40 runs in his three-over spell. Frequent injury setbacks have also affected his potency with the ball, marginalising his participation in the lucrative league. 
• So, considering Topley has been injury-prone and a proven failure, none of the teams might show interest in him in the mini auction. 

Deepak Hooda

Why could Deepak Hooda go unsold in IPL 2026 auction?

(Deepak Hooda's recent IPL record)

• There was a time when Deepak Hooda used to be a regular in India's T20I setup. However, the dip in his form eventually led to his ouster from the side, and now he finds himself on the cusp of an IPL exclusion following a three-year-long run-scoring rut. 
• Statistically, Deepak Hooda has scored just 260 runs, including 15 single-digits, at a horrendous average of 10.8 and a strike rate of 110.2. 31 runs in five games at an average of just over five; such miserable numbers sum up Hooda's IPL 2025 campaign in a nutshell. So, with several promising middle-order batters likely to enter the auction, Hooda's chances of getting a bid for himself seem quite bleak. 

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Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Why could Kamlesh Nagarkoti go unsold in IPL 2026 auction?

• Kamlesh Nagarkoti grabbed the headlines during the 2018 under-19 World Cup, where he emerged as one of India's leading wicket-takers. Besides raw pace, Nagarkoti's ability to make the new ball talk projected him as a potential candidate to lead India's pace attack. 
• However, frequent injury setbacks marred his career, which unfortunately couldn't take off even in the IPL. The right-arm pacer has played just 12 IPL games, scalping five wickets at a miserable average of 57 and an economy of 9.50. 
• So, given that he doesn't really add quality or depth to the pace department, none of the IPL franchises might show interest in Nagarkoti in the mini auction.

Mayank Agarwal

Why could Mayank Agarwal go unsold in IPL 2026 auction?

(Mayank Agarwal's IPL record since 2022)

• Mayank Agarwal had two consecutive blockbuster seasons for Punjab Kings in 2020 and 2021 before poor form hindered his IPL progress. The veteran top-order batter has managed 625 runs in his last 30 IPL innings. 
• While his average of just over 21 signifies he hasn't been as dependable as before, his strike rate of 127 suggests Agarwal has been somewhat timid with the bat in the tournament. 
• Mayank went unsold in the mega auction before an injury to Devdutt Padikkal prompted RCB to rope him in as a replacement. But with a number of high-profile swashbuckling batters set to enter the auction pool, the 34-year-old might find it tough to get picked by the IPL franchises. 

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