Getting unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction has to be considered a setback in a player's career. However, it is certainly not the end of the world for the individual.
Every year, at the IPL auction, fans get shocked when they see certain players getting unsold. However, there have been several instances when previously unsold players got their opportunities to showcase their talent in the cash-rich league and became stars who etched their names in the annals of Indian cricket.
5 players who were unsold once but are stars now
5. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir
was the top-ranked bowler in T20I cricket during the 2017 IPL auction. However, the South African leg-spinner shockingly went unsold. However, he was later roped in as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh at the Rising Pune Supergiant.
Tahir played a crucial role for the Steven Smith-led franchise in IPL 2017. He finished with 18 wickets, helping his team reach the finals. Tahir was later signed by the Chennai Super Kings, where he won the Purple Cap in 2019 with 26 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 16.57.
4. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle went unsold at the IPL 2011 mega auction, mainly due to availability concerns. However, he was later signed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as an injury replacement for Dirk Nannes. The Caribbean batter went on to make a phenomenal impact for the Bengaluru-based franchise.
He scored 608 runs in 12 matches at an average of 67.55 and a strike rate of 183.13 in IPL 2011. This included three half-centuries and two tons. Even in the following edition, he won the Orange Cap, amassing 733 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.08 and a strike rate of 160.74. Gayle played the IPL for the last time in 2021. He is one of the all-time legends of the league, scored almost 5000 runs in 142 matches.
3. Phil Salt
Phil Salt played some scintillating knocks from the very beginning of his England career, especially in the T20 circuit. In 2023, he played eight T20Is and scored 394 runs at an average of 56.28 and a strike rate of 169.09. However, it was surprising to see him going unsold at the IPL 2024 mini-auction. Even in the previous IPL season, he had performed well for the Delhi Capitals
However, he eventually got his IPL call-up when Jason Roy withdrew from IPL 2024 due to personal reasons. The Kolkata Knight Riders roped in Salt for his base price of INR 1.5 crore and he went on to have a terrific season for the franchise. He amassed 435 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of 182, playing a pivotal role in KKR's triumphant campaign.
Salt was eventually released ahead of the following season and the Royal Challengers signed him. RCB won the IPL in 2025 and have started brilliantly this season. Salt's performances have been equally brilliant in the Rajat Patidar-led franchise.
2. Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma is one of the most reliable new-ball bowlers in IPL history. He has an excellent record against stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, it was surprising to see him not finding a team at the IPL 2023 mini auction.
However, the Rajasthan Royals acquired services as a replacement for the injured Prasidh Krishna. Sandeep did not take too long to make an impact, as he famously defended 21 runs in the last over against one of the best finishers in cricketing history - MS Dhoni. Sandeep has improved his death bowling immensely, so much so that the Royals still use him at the back end of the innings and he keeps delivering more often than not.
1. Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar went unsold in the IPL 2022 auction and was at home, planning his wedding when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru called him as a replacement for Luvnith Sisodia. He had a stellar outing with the bat, amassing 333 runs in just eight matches, averaging 55.50 at a strike rate of 152.75. In the Eliminator, he smashed a match-winning century against the Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens.
Patidar missed the following season due to an injury but came back in IPL 2024 and had another impressive campaign with the willow. In 2025, he was appointed captain of RCB and he led them to their maiden IPL title. So far in IPL 2026, Patidar has amassed 195 runs in four games at an average of 65 and a strike rate of 214.29.
