Going unsold at the IPL auction does not end a player’s chances of featuring in the tournament. Names that fail to attract bids in the early rounds return to the pool for accelerated phases, where teams often reassess roles once their budgets and squad gaps are clearer. Several impactful signings have emerged from this stage.
If a player remains unsold through the entire auction, they can still be brought in later as replacements. Franchises regularly face injuries, withdrawals, and national duty-related absences, which open slots for unsold players. Chris Gayle’s 2011 comeback is the most striking example. He went unsold at the auction, joined Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for the injured Dirk Nannes and then produced one of the most dominant seasons in IPL history — 608 runs, including two centuries, in the 12 matches he played — including an Orange Cap-winning run.
Rajat Patidar’s 2022 story underlines the same pathway. Unsold, he was drafted in as a mid-season replacement by RCB and produced a stunning 112 not out in the playoffs, a knock that changed the team’s campaign. Patidar would later go on to lead RCB men’s team to its maiden IPL title in 2024.
Published on Dec 11, 2025
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