David Warner, one of the most consistent and successful players in IPL history, went unsold in the 2025 IPL auction. Despite being a regular face in the tournament since 2009, none of the 10 franchises bid for the Australian opener, leaving fans stunned. With a base price of ₹2 crore, Warner’s name came up on both days of the two-day mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but without success.

This marks a surprising turn for Warner, who has been an IPL stalwart. The southpaw has scored 6,565 runs in 184 matches, including 62 fifties and four centuries. He is fourth on the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorers list, behind only Indian superstars Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli. Warner holds the unique record of scoring 500 or more runs in seven separate IPL seasons, tied with Kohli.

Why Did Warner Go Unsold?

Several factors likely contributed to Warner's unsold status:

Decline in Recent Form: Warner scored just 168 runs in eight matches for Delhi Capitals in the last IPL season.

Age: At 38, Warner’s age might have been a concern for franchises looking for long-term players.

Recent Activity: Warner retired from international T20 cricket last June and last played competitive cricket in August, excelling in the Max60 tournament in the Caribbean, where he was the highest run-scorer with 297 runs in nine matches.

Unless a team brings him in as a replacement player during the season, Warner’s IPL journey may have come to an end.

Other Big Names That Went Unsold

Warner wasn’t the only high-profile player to go unsold. Other major overseas stars, including New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, England’s Jonny Bairstow, Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Australia’s Steve Smith, also failed to attract bids. Rising talents like Dewald Brevis and established all-rounders like Daryl Mitchell were also overlooked.

Among Indian players, prominent names like Prithvi Shaw, Shardul Thakur, and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold. However, Punjab Kings picked Sarfaraz's younger brother, Mushi Khan, while Mumbai Indians acquired Arjun Tendulkar after an initial miss.

Bangladeshi Players Also Overlooked

Bangladeshi cricket fans were left disappointed as none of their players found teams in this auction. Mustafizur Rahman and young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain were among those who went unsold despite being part of the auction pool.

What’s Next for Warner and Other Unsold Stars?

The unsold status doesn’t completely rule out a return for these players. Injuries and replacements often open doors during the season. Fans of Warner and other big names will hope to see them in action again, even if it’s not in their usual capacity as first-choice players.