Top 5 overseas players who went unsold in IPL 2025 auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was a rollercoaster of emotions for two full days, with several notable overseas players finding themselves on the sidelines as the franchises made their planned selections.

While the auction saw record-breaking purchases and intense bidding wars, it also witnessed a harsh reality for many international talents who went unsold. The absence of bids for these players shows the teams have moved on from them and are looking for new and fresh talents.

Meanwhile, for these unsold players, a good part is the replacement policy. With the possibility of injury replacements, there's still a chance to be back in the league. Players who registered for the auction can potentially be called up if a team needs to replace an injured squad member, provided they meet the specific pricing criteria. 

Here are the five overseas players who went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction:

5. Johny Bairstow:

Veteran English wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow grabbed the attention after none of the teams showed interest in getting his service in their squad. Once a hard-hitting opener, the right-hander formed a destructive partnership with David Warner at SunRisers Hyderabad.

Playing 50 matches across five years for SRH and Punjab Kings, the English cricketer scored 1589 runs at a strike rate of 144.45. After his move to Punjab Kings, he didn't have consistent performances, despite a century in 2024. While many of his England teammates secured lucrative contracts, Bairstow remained on the sidelines. 

Also Check: IPL 2025: 5 lesser-known faces who bagged big bucks in auction