The auction for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is scheduled to be taking place in less than a week and ahead of the team-building event, let us try and gather a list of 5 stalwarts of the game that are most likely to remain unsold despite their reputation as they have failed to do well in recent times.
#1 Angelo Matthews (Base Price 2 CR)
One of the better all-rounders from Sri Lanka, Angelo Matthews is another renowned cricketer who probably will go unsold at IPL 2023 players’ auction. The Sri Lankan player has listed himself at the highest possible Base Price (INR 2 crores). That, coupled with his poor IPL record (724 runs and 27 wickets off 49 matches) should be, and will be, enough for franchises to give him a cold pass.
#2 Chris Lynn (Base Price INR 2 Crores)
The Kangaroo opener does not have many faults himself for the lack of interest from IPL franchises in the last few seasons. Chris Lynn has been a huge success during his tenure at the IPL as he has amassed 1329 runs off just 42 matches at an impressive average and strike rate of 34 and 141. However, the emergence of more dynamic openers both in India and abroad has been his demise.
Lynn failed to do much in IPL 2021 at Mumbai Indians before failing to get a 1.5 crore bid at IPL 2022 auction. He has inflated his base price further this season and we don’t think it is going to help his chances.
#3 Joe Root (Base Price INR 1 Crore)
Joe Root will enter the auction pool for just the second time in the history of the league. Though his competence against spin and past leadership experience increases the chances of him getting a bid, the fact that Root hasn’t been a part of England’s T20I setup for ages goes against him. IPL franchises are becoming more practical than ever and want proven performers. Hence, despite him being one of the biggest names entering the IPL 2023 Players auction, teams won’t risk it getting Root on board.
#4 Manish Pandey (INR 1 Crore)
Indian top-order batsman Manish Pandey is another star cricketer who is expected to go unsold at the IPL 2023 auction. Ever since departing from Kolkata Knight Riders, Manish Pandey has been a pale shadow of himself. In the last 2 editions, the 33-year-old has made just 380 runs off 316 deliveries at an unacceptable SR of 120.
#5 Martin Guptill (Base Price INR 1 Crore)
The Kiwi opener, Martin Guptill has been one of the most destructive and successful T20I openers of all time. However, for a reason beyond our comprehension, the right-hander has time and time again remained unsold at IPL auctions. Even in his prime, Guptill never managed to get a nice bid in IPL, getting mere 13 matches to prove himself across the seasons.
