IPL 2026 Auction: Top 5 Players Who Could Remain Unsold

On 16 December, the IPL 2026 auction awaited to take place in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena where teams will compete against each other to fill a total of 77 vacant player positions; due to the large number of unfilled player positions, there are many more opportunities available to the franchisee who has the largest budget for players, which in the case of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is significantly larger than all other franchises due to their requirement to fill more than one vacant player position, while Punjab Kings (PBKS) have the lowest remaining number of player position fill opportunities.

As excitement builds, there is also inevitable speculation about which former stars might struggle to find buyers. Based on recent form, age, team composition needs, and the dynamics of a mini-auction, several players face a real risk of going unsold, even household names. In this post of Winexch, we highlight five such contenders and explore why this time the auction might bypass them.

IPL 2026 Auction: What it Looks Like

The retention window was closed on November 15, 2025, and all 10 franchises confirmed their retained players, 173 in total (including 49 overseas players). With 77 places to be filled and a combined purse of roughly ₹237.55 crore, teams will apply any strategy to gain the momentum of players. 

This tight supply-demand environment could push franchises toward youth, potential, or players offering dual skills rather than expensive veterans with uncertain returns.

5 Players Who Could Go Unsold

Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar was one of the players who had an identity crisis throughout all his seasons in Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and did little to inspire confidence with his returns – 118 runs in six games without any bowling impact.

His barrel is starting to run dry over the course of his IPL career with different franchises and he’s losing his all-mighty sheen. Now, teams may want better performers, and Shankar could easily go unnoticed in 2026.

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis is a league stalwart for years- but his age and performance in recent times work against him in a T20 world. At 41 years old, and with some moderate 2025 numbers, those franchises are going to ask themselves if he can still perform when they have other younger, exciting overseas batters on the market. In a mini-auction where each place is gold dust, Faf may be out of takers.

Mohit Sharma

Once a go-to medium pacer, Mohit Sharma went wicketless in his last five matches of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise as finds just two victims in 8 games in season 2025 – he is way below all his high standards set. Given the premium on strike or containing bowlers, though, ageing pacers coming off a lean run recede into the shadows. So Mohit’s chances of getting picked in 2026 seem slim.

Glenn Maxwell

Once, Maxwell’s star worth had made him a hot property, but his performance in the IPL of 2025 has been underwhelming. Picked up by PBKS for a sizeable amount, he scored 48 runs in seven matches before being deemed surplus to requirements. Given the franchise’s preference for consistency, impact and value now, Maxwell, the match-winner, might seem a risk.

Moeen Ali

The English all-rounder never quite hit his stride after being released by KKR. In a truncated 2025, Moeen scored just five runs in the matches’ aggregate and lacked bite with the ball, not nearly good enough to win a new deal in an auction-heavy transfer window. That will surely make teams lean towards younger all-rounders, or bowlers with more recent success and the Moeens of 2026 should start to doubt.

What’s Driving the Shift

There are several reasons former stars might struggle in this IPL 2026 auction. First, the small number of available slots (77) makes teams extremely picky; they don’t want to take a flyer on an older player or one in poor form.

Second, many franchises are now reconsidering their strategies: preferring younger and adaptable (bat-and-bowl or field) players who come at a low price. Third, international limits and minimums encourage teams to play the farm on Veterans who are explosive if nothing else.

Furthermore, having a healthy purse for some of the franchises like KKR could also prompt them to invest in future rather than concentrate on short-term and high-risk buys. Less relevant here is a player’s status as a legacy figure; more important is that he be in form, fit, adaptable and cost-effective.

Conclusion

With the IPL 2026 Auction closing in, the focus will certainly be on up-and-coming players and new talent, as well as on how veterans will step up, facing a more critical eye. For fans and analysts, and those who have platforms like Winexchange, the next few days should be very exciting as teams take some very bold chances, and we may have a few new teams that could potentially change the league’s dynamics.

FAQs

1. When and where will the IPL 2026 auction happen?

The auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

2. Why do some big-name players risk remaining unsold?

With only limited positions, teams must prioritise value, recent performance and balance over reputation.

3. How does this affect fans using platforms like Winexch?

For someone using Winexchange to get outcomes or invest emotionally, the shift toward younger, in-form players could mean more volatile but potentially rewarding match scenarios. 

It underscores the importance of analysing form and team composition rather than legacy names.