'Genuinely thought some team would bid for me' - Pacer Sandeep Sharma disappointed on going unsold at IPL 2023 auction

The Indian Premier League has helped build the careers of plenty of cricketers, from around the world. There still are players who thank the IPL for their success and growth. The tournament is such, which can take a person from rags to riches. If a player performs well, he can receive immense fame, and become a star overnight.

There have been cases where multiple teams got into a bidding war for a player who wasn’t even an international player. While sensational tales about rising stars landing lucrative deals are common, some seasoned performers do not receive a single offer at the auction. Something similar was witnessed on Friday, December 23, at the IPL 2023 auction where Indian pacer Sandeep Sharma failed to pique the interest of even a single team.

After finding no bidders for himself at the auction, Sharma said that he was “shocked and disappointed” after going unsold. The 29-year-old was dismayed and said that he could not believe that even after performing so well over the years for every team that he played for, no team showed interest in getting him to their side.

“I'm shocked and disappointed. I don't know why I went unsold. I've done well whichever team I had played for and genuinely thought some team would bid for me. To be honest, I was not expecting this. Don't even know where it has gone wrong. In domestic cricket, I have been performing well. In the Ranji Trophy, last round, I took seven wickets. I did so well in Syed Mushtaq Ali,” Sandeep told Cricket.com

I have always strived to be consistent in my bowling: Sandeep

Sandeep has represented the Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the cash-rich event and has consistently taken wickets, particularly during the powerplay, regardless of the team he has played for. That was one of the reasons he received a T20I call-up from Team India. Sandeep actually holds the seventh position on the all-time list for most wickets per innings, with 1.09 wickets to his credit. But he didn't find any buyers at the IPL 2023 auction.

“I have always strived to be consistent in my bowling. And that's the only thing in my hands. I can't control selection or non-selection. If a chance comes then good, or else, I have to keep doing good work,” he added.

There still is a chance for Sandeep to find himself a spot at the IPL. Registered at a base price of INR 50 lakh, the pacer was not able to attract any bid from either of the 10 franchises, but he can play the IPL if any of the teams rope him in as an injury replacement. If a replacement player is required, Sandeep might be near the top of the franchises' list given his talent and experience.