IPL 2026 Auction: Prithvi Shaw to Devon Conway - Full List of Unsold Players in Mini Auction

As the IPL 2026 auction starts, all eyes remain on the high-stakes bidding wars set to reshape franchises. Yet, beneath the glamour of marquee sign...

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What is the story about?

As the IPL 2026 auction starts, all eyes remain on the high-stakes bidding wars set to reshape franchises. Yet, beneath the glamour of marquee signings lies a stark reality: a pool of talented players could once again go unsold, echoing past auctions where potential went unpicked.

A total of 369 players up for the auction and 77 slots are set to be filled. 10 franchises are on board to configure their optimum squad ahead of next season.

Franchises enter with finite purses and rigid strategies, prioritizing explosive batsmen, death-over specialists, and versatile all-rounders. This leaves certain profiles - like domestic stalwarts with inconsistent returns or overseas pacers lacking IPL pedigree - vulnerable. In recent auctions, budget constraints

and team balance needs have sidelined dozens, turning hopefuls into free agents overnight.

Historical trends amplify the risk. Over the last three seasons, upwards of 20-30% of the player pool has remained unsold. Going unsold isn't the end. Many rebound via late retentions, state leagues, or international T20s, building cases for mini-auctions or IPL 2027. Franchises often circle back post-auction for domestic gems at slashed rates.

IPL 2026 Unsold Players

In the set 1, Prithvi Shaw has already gone unsold. Devon Conway of New Zealand and Aussie batter Jake Fraser-McGurk also didn't have any suitors. Sarfaraz Khan also failed to attract any bid in the auction.