IPL: 5 players who were unsold once but are stars now

Published - 15 Apr 2026, 17:03 IST | Updated - 15 Apr 2026, 17:03 IST

Getting unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction has to be considered a setback in a player's career. However, it is certainly not the end of the world for the individual.

Every year, at the IPL auction, fans get shocked when they see certain players getting unsold. However, there have been several instances when previously unsold players got their opportunities to showcase their talent in the cash-rich league and became stars who etched their names in the annals of Indian cricket.

Imran Tahir was the top-ranked bowler in T20I cricket during the 2017 IPL auction. However, the South African leg-spinner shockingly went unsold. However, he was later roped in as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh at the Rising Pune Supergiant.

Tahir played a crucial role for the Steven Smith-led franchise in IPL 2017. He finished with 18 wickets, helping his team reach the finals. Tahir was later signed by the Chennai Super Kings, where he won the Purple Cap in 2019 with 26 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 16.57.