IPL 2025 mega-auction: David Warner finds no bidders as veteran goes unsold

Australian cricket legend David Warner found himself without a team as franchises passed on the opportunity to bid for the veteran opener during Day one of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction. 

Warner, who has been a key part of the Indian Premier League since 2009, has scored 6,565 runs at a strike rate of 140, making him the highest overseas run-getter in IPL history. Despite this stellar track record, the 38-year-old failed to attract any bids during the initial rounds of the auction.

The former Delhi Capitals opener, who was released ahead of the 2025 season, has had a brilliant IPL journey spanning 15 years. His contributions to the league include three Orange Cap wins and leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title in 2016. During his championship-winning season with SRH, Warner scored 848 runs at a strike rate of 151.42.

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David Warner announced retirement after T20 World Cup 2024

However, recent seasons have seen a decline in Warner's performance. In his last season with DC, he was limited to just eight matches, managing only 168 runs. 

The veteran opener also announced his international retirement following Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup. While Warner remains unsold after the initial rounds, there's still a possibility of him finding a team during the accelerated round on day two of the auction. Other than Warner, India's Devdutt Padikkal became the first player to be unsold in the night.