IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Five Big Names That Went Unsold, Including a Four-Time Champion

New Delhi:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction concluded with franchises spending heavily on their preferred stars, making it a night of record deals and surprise outcomes. Australia’s Cameron Green emerged as the biggest buy of the auction, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing his services for a massive ₹25.20 crore.

However, alongside the big-money signings, the auction also delivered some unexpected snubs. Several well-known and accomplished players failed to attract any bids and remained unsold. Here are five prominent names who went unpicked at the IPL 2026 mini auction:

Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)
Explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk surprisingly went unsold despite his aggressive reputation. Entering the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, McGurk has featured in 15 IPL matches and scored 385 runs, showcasing his potential as a power-hitter at the top order.

Devon Conway (New Zealand)
Experienced New Zealand opener Devon Conway also failed to find a buyer. With a base price of ₹2 crore, Conway’s omission raised eyebrows, considering his impressive IPL record of 1,080 runs in 29 matches and his proven consistency in T20 cricket.

Jamie Smith (England)
Young England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith was another notable absentee from the sold list. Priced at ₹2 crore, Smith has made a strong impression in international T20s, scoring 130 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 194, but franchises chose to pass on him.

Karn Sharma (India)
One of the most surprising exclusions was Indian leg-spinner Karn Sharma, a four-time IPL title winner. With 83 wickets in 90 IPL matches and a modest base price of ₹50 lakh, Sharma’s experience and success in the league made his unsold status particularly unexpected.

Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lankan star spinner Maheesh Theekshana also went unsold. Entering the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, Theekshana has taken 36 wickets in 38 IPL matches and is widely regarded for his mystery spin and control in the middle overs.

The IPL 2026 mini auction once again underlined the unpredictable nature of franchise strategies, where form, team balance, and future planning often outweigh reputation and past achievements. While these players missed out this time, their quality ensures they will remain strong contenders for future opportunities in the league.