The IPL mini-auction is all set to take place on December 23 in Kochi. The franchises have announced their list of released and retained players. The franchises have released a total of 85 players. Some prominent releases include Mayank Agrawal, Kane Williamson, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. 

There are a few players like Ben Stokes, Cameron Green and Sam Curran who create a bidding war between the franchises but there are several who will go unsold. Let’s look at 5 released players who may go unsold in the auction:

#1 Ajinkya Rahane

Released by the Kolkata Knight Riders Rahane is one of the players who may not be able to find any buyers in the auction. He was bought by KKR at a base price of 1 crore. He scored a mere 133 runs in the seven matches he played. Rahane who till 2019 was consistently scoring in excess of 300 runs every season has scored 254 runs in totality in his last three seasons.

Since the past few editions, he hasn’t been playing like himself and looks unsure with his batting in the shortest format this is visible even on the domestic level. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 117.89.

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#2 Mohammed Nabi

He is another player released by KKR who will find it difficult for franchises to lift the paddle for him. He didn’t play a single game for KKR last season and has failed to make an impact for Afghanistan on the international stage. This year he has played 18 T20IS and has scored 163 runs at a strike rate of 115.60.

The once-praised Afghan all-rounder seems to be losing the interest of the franchises in this tournament. It seems that the sun is setting on the veteran Afghan career.

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#3 Varun Aaron

Released by the Gujarat Titans he was unable to make an impression on them. Aaron who has been around the IPL for the past decade failed to secure a wicket for the Titans in the two games he played as well as conceded runs at an economy of 10.40.

Aaron was always known for his ability to bowl in excess of 140 kmph but now batters are dispatching him easily all around the park. He hasn’t been able to put up consistent performances and is no more the bowler everyone considered him to be. Therefore he may just have no buyers in the auction.

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#4 Manish Pandey

Pandey who was the first Indian to score a century in the cash-rich IPL has been released by the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the auction. He has been able to consistently score runs for teams and isn’t able to bat up to his potential. He has often been criticised for his low strike rate which can sometimes potentially cost games to the team.

Since the past few editions of the tournament, he only entertained people with glimpses of his real potential and was unable to make a lasting impression. His numbers aren’t impressive as he scored only 88 runs in 10 matches for the Super Giants. Given the pace of the format, franchises might be hesitant to raise the paddle for the Karnataka batter.

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#5 Chris Jordan

Released by the Chennai Super Kings, the death bowler from England hasn’t been able to deliver performances for which he has been recognised. He has been part of the IPL since 2016 but has been able to string consistent performances.

He played two matches for the Chennai Super Kings picking up two wickets and conceding runs at an economy of 10.52. Even on the international level, he is unable to deliver consistently. This is one of the reasons for his release. Franchises may not look at him as a potential option. Jordan has already been part of part four franchises in this tournament.

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