IPL 2017 kicked off with a bang with the trademark auction on Sunday. All the teams filled the gaps in their teams by selectively bidding for the right players. While some players raked in the moolah as expected, some players shockingly did not garner any interest. We take a look a 5 marquee players who went unsold in the IPL 2017 auction.
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While Ben Stokes created history by becoming the highest-bid player in the IPL, his teammate and explosive opening batsman Alex Hales was snubbed by the teams. This list also features several players in the Indian squad. Have a look below :
1. Ishant Sharma
It was being speculated that Ishant Sharma’s base price of 2 lakhs was too high for the teams’ liking. While this was true to an extent, no one could have thought that he will go unsold in the auction. He had featured sporadically for the Rising Pune Supergiants and thereafter, played T20s very rarely.
This lack of form and T20 expertise means that the lanky Delhi pacer will have to sit out. Not surprisingly, this is the first IPL where Ishant will not be featuring having played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad before.
2. Imran Tahir
Another entrant in the list of 5 marquee players who went unsold is South African leggie Imran Tahir. Surprisingly, Imran Tahir is also the top ranked bowler according to the T20 ranking for bowlers. Moreover, he also played a pivotal role in carrying Delhi Daredevils to several victories last year.
What may have turned the tide against Tahir is his age. Understandably, the 37 year old leggie is not a livewire in the field and this could have been a deterrent in his selection.
3. Ross Taylor
The New Zealand hard-hitting batsman had a forgettable 2016. He was inconsistent with his performances with the bat and was a shadow of his former belligerent self. An eye surgery also further exacerbated the situation. This might have been the reason for the teams’ indifference.
Also Read : Twitter erupts as Ben Stokes fetches Rs 14.5 Crore in the IPL auctions
Ross Taylor has featured for IPL sides like Rajasthan Royals,Delhi Daredevils and the now defunct, Pune Warriors India.
4. Irfan Pathan
One of the most prominent cases of rags to riches cases in Indian cricket, Irfan Pathan has not found any takers. Lacklustre form with the bat and declining potency with the new ball has kept Irfan in the dark. However, the biggest shock to hit the Baroda allrounder is this IPL snub.
Irfan Pathan had along stint with Kings XI Punjab initially. He then switched over to other sides like CSK,SRH,RPS and DD.
5. Marlon Samuels
A chief architect of West Indies’ 2012 World T20 victory, Marlon Samuels is also unsold in IPL 2017 auction. Much like the entrants before, erratic form and a questionable temperament warrants Samuels’ exclusion.
Marlon Samuels was a part of the defunct Pune Warriors India in the 2012-2013 season.
