5 players who will go unsold at the Indian T20 League auction

Indian T20 League auction (Source: Twitter)

With only days to go for the Indian T20 League auction, there will be a big buzz among fans and teams as they fine-tune their sides ahead of the 2023 edition of the Indian T20 League. A total of 405 players have been shortlisted for the mini-auction.

Even though this is a mini-auction, unlike last year's auction which was a mega-auction, there will be a lot of interest among the franchises as certain sides are looking to fill up core allrounders and leadership slots using this auction. Only 87 slots need to be filled by the franchise. 

Let us take a look at 5 players who might miss the bus in the Indian T20 League auction:

5. Heinrich Klassen

Heinrich Klassen (Source: Twitter)

Heinrich Klassen has had two stints in the Indian T20 League before this with the Bangalore and the Rajasthan franchise. He was looked at as a wicketkeeper who can bat in the middle order and someone who can play spin well. Sadly, he has failed to live up to his billing.

He has played two matches for Bangalore in the Indian T20 League and scored just nine runs at an average of 4.50 and at a strike rate of 5.40. Even when he played for Rajasthan, he scored 57 runs from four innings at an average of 19 and at a strike rate of 7.27. He is likely not to be picked this year.

 4. Joe Root 

Joe Root (Source: Twitter)

Joe Root, the former England Test captain has expressed his desire to be back in the Indian T20 League and has put his name in the auctions. But he has hardly played T20 cricket and in the era of big hitting, there is no place for anchors like Root.

He had a very brief stint in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Thunder. He did not have the best of times there as he scored 93 runs from seven matches at an average of 15.50 and at a strike rate of 114.81. He is likely to miss the bus of being in the Indian T20 League.

3. Ishant Sharma 

Ishant Sharma (Source: Twitter)

Ishant Sharma, the India Test match player, has been out of the reckoning from the Indian white-ball sides for a long time and also from the Indian Test side. He is currently playing in the Ranji Trophy for his domestic side Delhi.

He has not set the Indian T20 League on fire he has played only 93 games and picked up 72 wickets. The tall pace bowler has been plagued with injuries and hence, has not played a lot in the Indian T20 League. At 34, there are very few chances of him getting a contract.

2. Odean Smith 

Odean Smith (Source: Twitter)

Odean Smith was brought in by the Punjab Franchise in 2022 to bolster their batting in the lower order and be the sixth bowling option but it did not materialise as he failed to turn Punjab’s fortunes.

The returns were diminishing from the Caribbean star as he played only six matches in the season and scored just 51 runs and picked up six wickets. His best figures of 4/30 came in just one game, with the star failing to replicate the same in the remaining matches. His batting average that season was just below 17.

1. Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra (Source: Twitter)

Amit Mishra, the veteran wrist spinner, has set the Indian T20 League on fire and has been one of the most successful players in the tournament. He has played 154 matches in which he has picked up 166 wickets at an average of 23.95 and at a strike rate of 19.55. 

The downside is he is 40 years old and that he could be very injury prone. With the overseas options in wrist spinners available and with the franchises backing the young talent, Mishra will have a hard time getting a contract.