The IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi saw many surprises amongst the players. Big-name players in the list of top stars remained unsold in the IPL auction 2026. This came as a shock to everyone.
This list examines the top 5-star players who were unsold in the IPL 2026 auction. We explore why they were unsold. There may be several reasons, like poor performance, fitness problems, and team management.
1. Devon Conway
Devon Conway was at the top of the list of ‘Top 5-Star Cricketers Who Were Left Unsold in IPL Auction 2026’ with a base price of 2 crores. Conway was smashing fours for the Chennai Super Kings before, but teams didn’t select him. Why? His T20 strike rate was affected due to his injuries last year, when it dropped to 138. They require an aggressive opener like Finn Allen, who was selected by KKR.
He averaged 55 in the IPL 2023, although his performance in international matches diminished. With slots already taken up by powerful openers, no team showed interest. Viewers believe that he could have done better, although the trends in the IPL 2026 auction held promise for power hitters.
2. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
Afghan leg-spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman added to the list of the top 5 star cricketers who remained unsold in the IPL Auction 2026 for 2 crores base. This star cricketer is notorious for his mystery spin in T20. However, the unavailability of wickets could not convince the team owners. Why so, you ask? The economy rate of 8 runs per over went against him.
He was brilliant in World Cups, but his death-over bowling ability is questioned by the IPL teams. The international leggie quota was snatched soon enough, too! The truth is that it’s his batting weakness and cumulative price that are to be blamed for this. One of the surprising top 5-star players who remained unsold in the IPL Auction 2026 for sure.
3. Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow was left unsold with a base price of 1 crore, but he was an important part of the top five star players who were left unsold in the IPL Auction of 2026. The aggressive English keeper-batter was impressive for once at Sunrisers Hyderabad. The reasons for his going without a bid are his age, which is 37, and his strike rate in IPL 2025, which was below 140. Younger keepers like Rahmanullah Gurbaz were sought after, who were left unsold as well.
Bairstow’s white-ball performance suffered as England prioritized Test matches. The IPL teams’ squads are based predominantly on Indian players nowadays. It’s led him to go unsold in auctions. Whether his fitness problems were a concern in his non-selection in an auction is something that fans are debating.
4. Gerald Coetzee
One of the top 5-star players who were unsold in the IPL Auction 2026 for 2 crores is Gerald Coetzee. He was taking wickets for the Mumbai Indians with his unbridled speed of 145 kph. But was he unsold unreasonably? His history of injuries due to stress fractures acted as a reason for that. His name was also listed alongside Spencer Johnson.
His economy rate in the IPL reached 9+ last season. Along with many other Indian pacers like Akash Deep being unsold in the IPL, the spotlight turned to uncapped pace bowlers now. Correct assessment would reveal that his white ball loads in Internationals left him tired. Massive loss in forming IPL 2026 squads.
5. Maheesh Theekshana
Yet another player who closed the top 5-star players who remained unsold in IPL auction 2026 at a base price of 2 crores is Maheesh Theekshana. The Sri-Lankan mystery off-spinner troubled batsmen in CSK with the use of the Carrom Ball. The reasons being high economy in death overs and a store of spinners in the teams. The purchase of Pathirana from KKR depicts a demand for a pacer. Theekshana picked 26 wickets in the IPL 2023, but she could not perform well in the latter phase. The overseas reservations were filled in no time. His experts claim his lack of brilliance in batsmanship denied him a chance. Among the most skilled 5-star players left without a price tag in the IPL Auction 2026, he is one of the most popular players because of his experience.
Also Read: Top 5: Most Expensive Buys of IPL Auction 2026
Reasons Behind Unsold Shocks in IPL 2026
Analysis of the top 5-star players unsold in the IPL Auction 2026 exposes trends. There were injury problems with Conway, Coetzee, and Bairstow. Economic problems affected Mujeeb and Theekshana. Mid-table teams were discouraged by base prices; toppers broke their budgets on Green players. A core was retained in teams, similar to CSK’s fixed retaining amount before the auction. This gave less to the stars. Uncapped Indians at 30 lakh filled roles cheaply. True analysis confirms IPL evolved to value versatility over individual stardom. These five now eye T20 leagues abroad.
