IPL is the biggest t20 league around the world, and it hosts the world’s biggest stars during a 3-month festival. Every player around the world wants to be a part of this cash-rich league but it’s all up to the franchises. Over 900 players registered for the auction but only 332 appeared in the auction held on the 19th of December in Kolkata.
Pat Cummins becoming the highest overseas bidder in the auction was certainly the highlight of the auction. While there were a host of players fetching millions in the cash-rich league auction, a host of big names went unsold at the end of the event. Here’s a look at big names which went unsold in the auction:
5 Big Name Players who went unsold in IPL 2020:
#1. Kesrick Williams
Kesrick Williams has performed quite well in the CPL over the past few years and him being amongst the 5 big-name players who went unsold in IPL auction was a surprise to many. His notebook celebration has been a talk of the town. His battle with Virat in the T20 series caught the eye of the entire sporting fraternity as Virat took him to his notebook. Kenrick’s comeback was something that made him a good bowling option for the franchises and even a bigger one for RCB.
#2. Evin Lewis
Evin Lewis has been a part of IPL and was with Mumbai Indians during his stay in the league. He used to open alongside Rohit for MI but was released for the 2020 IPL auction. Him going unsold raised a few eyebrows as teams like KKR and Rajasthan needed openers to strengthen their squad. Evin is a regular opener for his international side and has scored over 800 runs for West Indies. He has played 16 matches in IPL and has an average of over 25 and a little more exposure in the IPL might bring the best of him.
#3. Martin Guptill
Martin Guptill has been the x-factor at the top of the order alongside Kane Williamson for New Zealand over the years. He was a reason for their superb 2019 world cup campaign. Everyone is aware of his big-hitting abilities and an experienced opener of such high pedigree could have been a win for various franchises. Unfortunately, the New Zealand opener wasn’t picked by any of the franchises.
The New Zealand batsman hasn’t been in the best of form this year. He endured a lackluster performance in the World Cup 2019. Sadly, a string of poor performances has costed his place in the IPL. He would be hoping of making a good comeback in the series.
#4. Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan has been a part of the IPL since its inaugural season, he has played 174 matches and has over 3000 runs at an average of around 30. His stats are good enough for a batsman who has the role of a finisher as well as a powerful pinch hitter.
He has played for Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrises Hyderabad in IPL, and his experience would have surely helped teams especially those which lacked experienced campaigners. He is the biggest name on the list for 5 big-name players who went unsold in IPL auction.
5. Alzarri Joseph
Alzarri Joseph came into the IPL as a replacement for Adam Milne in the 2019 edition, in his debut match for Mumbai Indians against SRH he broke a record that stood for 11 years.
He claimed the best IPL bowling figure of 6 wickets for 12 runs, breaking Sohail Tanvir’s 6 for 14 from the inaugural season. Alzarri has loads of potential and him going unsold at a point when franchises where in need of leading pacemen was a surprise.
Joseph has made it into the list for the 5 big-name players who went unsold in IPL auction but he actually might be a part of the tournament as reinforcement to injuries.
