IPL 2025 auction is officially in the books. The 10 teams have stacked up their respective squads with the players they wished, but there were still several big names, who remained unsold. One of the biggest shockers was Prithvi Shaw going unsold at the mega auction.
Shaw had been retained ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction by the Delhi Capitals, but he could not justify the price from 2022 to 2024, resulting in his release. Although his base price was just 75 lakh in the 2025 mega auction, Shaw did not get any bids.
More shockingly, the teams did not even send Shaw’s name in the second round of unsold players for their re-auction. While Shaw may not return in IPL 2025, here are five other popular unsold players who may come back.
1. Shardul Thakur may return in IPL 2025
Shardul Thakur has been one of the top performers with the bat and ball. Still, the pace-bowling all-rounder did not get any bids at the auction. Perhaps, his base price of 2 crore worked against him, but Thakur can come back as a replacement.
2. David Warner may return in IPL 2025
David Warner is a former three-time Orange Cap winner in IPL and also a former trophy winning skipper. It was baffling to see Warner go unsold at the auction. If a team needs an opener as a replacement, Warner is the best choice available.
3. KS Bharat
It is rare to see a capped Indian wicketkeeper go unsold at the auction, but KS Bharat did not get any bids. He has done well for RCB in the past, which is why there is a small chance of Bharat getting a contract as a replacement in 2025.
4. Sandeep Warrier
Sandeep Warrier has a habit of going unsold at the auctions and then coming back as a replacement. He replaced Jasprit Bumrah at Mumbai Indians in 2023 and Mohammed Shami at Gujarat Titans in 2024. Don’t be surprised if Warrier comes back as a replacement again.
5. Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal is an experienced Indian opener and a proven leader. It was a bit surprising to see him go unsold, but there is a huge possibility of Agarwal coming back in IPL this year as a replacement for someone.
