Unlucky ILT20 performers who shockingly went unsold in IPL 2026 auction

Debashis Sarangi

Bairstow has had a tremendous ILT20 season [Source: @MIPaltanFamily/X]Bairstow has had a tremendous ILT20 season [Source: @MIPaltanFamily/X]

The IPL 2026 mini auction was recently conducted, as the franchises filled the voids with strategic signings. While Cameron Green, Prashant Veer, Matheesha Pathirana, Kartik Sharma and Liam Livingstone emerged as the most expensive buys, some renowned released players such as Devon Conway, Deepak Hooda and Jake Fraser-McGurk couldn't attract any bidder. 

Meanwhile, there are several players who surprisingly went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini auction inspite of showing red-hot form in the ongoing ILT20 season, as explained below. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz - Gulf Giants (base price - 1.50 Cr)

Criterion
Data
Innings7
Runs210
Average30
Strike Rate150
  • As evidenced by the above stats, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has enjoyed stellar success in the ongoing ILT20 season, amassing 210 runs at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 150. 
  • Gurbaz is a magnificent player of pace and spin and has mostly given rollicking starts to his team in the tournament. 
  • However, despite his dream run in the ILT20 2025, Gurbaz failed to bag an IPL contract in the 2026 mini auction due to his failures in the Indian T20 league. Gurbaz, released by KKR, has managed 363 IPL runs at a modest average of 21.35 and a strike rate of 134.94. 
  • Therefore, considering he's been neither consistent nor destructive, the Afghanistan batter couldn't secure an IPL deal in the auction. 

Jonny Bairstow - MI Emirates (base price - 1 Cr)

Criterion
Data
Innings6
Runs203
Average40.60
Strike Rate140

(Jonny Bairstow in ILT20 2025)

  • England's swashbuckling batter Jonny Bairstow has exhibited red-hot form in the ILT20 2025. The top-order batter has been a headache for his opponents, amassing 203 runs at an average of 40.60 and a strike rate of 140. 
  • Interestingly, Bairstow had an impressive IPL 2025 season for Mumbai Indians, scoring 85 runs in two matches at a magnificent strike rate of 184.78. But despite his recent IPL heroics and sublime ILT20 form, Bairstow couldn't attract any bids. 
  • A primary reason behind the Englishman going unsold is his age. With due respect to what he has done over the years, Bairstow is already 36 and this could be the reason why none of the franchises raised the paddle for him. So, with several young keeper-batters available, Bairstow, unfortunately, missed out on selection. 

Waqar Salamkheil - Dubai Capitals (base price - 1 Cr)

Criterion
Data
Innings6
Wickets
12
Average15.33
Strike Rate11.75
Economy7.82

(Waqar Salamkheil's ILT20 stats)

  • Afghanistan's left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil has made the most of the conditions in the ILT20 2025. 
  • The wrist spinner has bagged 12 wickets, averaging 15.33 and striking at an incredible rate of 11.75. He has also registered a decent economy of 7.82, signifying his effectiveness in controlling the flow of runs. 
  • However, despite setting his base price at just 1 crore, Waqar Salamkheil couldn't secure an IPL contract. The primary reason behind the Afghan bowler going unsold could be the tendency of the IPL franchises to ignore overseas players and the emergence of several Indian spinners in the auction pool. 
  • While spinners like Akeal Hosein, who can contribute with the bat, Salamkheil, being a specialist spinner, narrowly missed out in the IPL auction.