SA20 Auction : Top five unsold players at the bidding event

The inaugural auction of the SA T20 league got off to a frantic start on Monday, 19th September, as the young Tristan Stubbs triggered a bidding war, before being acquired by the Sunrisers Eastern Cape for a staggering  R 9.2 million (Rs 4.1 crore).

While the auction saw several young players, including Stubbs and Marco Jansen, go for big bucks, there were some glaring omissions as well, with some of the most renowned names failing to attract a buyer. 

5. Dean Elgar (South Africa)

South African red-ball skipper Dean Elgar failed to find a place in the squad for the six participating teams as he went unsold during the auction. The southpaw is one of the most prominent figures in South African cricket as he is leading the charge with the Test team to reignite the flame for the traditional form of cricket in the country. 

4. Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka)

Veteran Sri Lankan batter Dinesh Chandimal also failed to attract a buyer in the auction. The wicketkeeper-batter has been in superb touch for the Test side this year. Chandimal has been named, as one of the reserve players in Sri Lanka's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

3. Temba Bavuma (South Africa)

Although Temba Bavuma has not been in great touch off late, no one could have foreseen the middle-order batter without any buyer at the auction. The South African limited overs skipper is one of the stalwarts of the national team, and his abilities with the bat and in the field make him a valuable player for any side.

2. Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

Former New Zealand international Ross Taylor also failed to attract any suitor as he went unsold during the auction. The globetrotting Kiwi has been part of some of the most successful franchises in the world, and maybe the teams looked at the Kiwi's age and decided to move on from the iconic batter in the shortest format of the game.

1. Carlos Brathwaite (West Indies)

One of the most sought-after all-rounders in the world, Carlos Brathwaite, was not acquired by any of the participating franchises in the auction. The flamboyant all-rounder is an invaluable asset to any team with his power-hitting abilities and bowling capabilities. The globetrotting West Indian could still make the inaugural edition of the tournament if someone picks up an injury during the tournament.