IPL Auction 2020: 5 released players who might go unsold

Nearly a month before the IPL auction, all the franchises have announced the list of retained players for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. This is the pre-season phase of the league where all the teams ponder over various permutations and combinations to consider the players which are either to be released or retained.

Mostly, a player who is either out of form or has failed to prove his utility in the team generally faces the axe. Even this year, a host of household names, mostly overseas players, were released ahead of the auction.

With a mini-auction lined up in Kolkata next month, a lot of these players might either rejoin their own franchise at a lower auction price or will shift their bases to a new team.

While there's even a possibility that some of the players might go unsold considering their declining prowess in the T20 format. Here's a look at 5 such players who might go unsold in the IPL auction 2020:

Also see - Ranji schedule

---

#5 Mohit Sharma

Mohit's injuries have halted his career on most occasion

The Haryana-born medium pacer, Mohit Sharma was a part of the CSK camp for IPL 2019 after he was released by Kings XI Punjab post a mediocre outing in 2018. Mohit was CSK's most expensive buy in the last auction but failed to make any difference to the franchise with his performances with the ball.

His injury concerns haven't helped his cause either, as he was released by Chennai ahead of this year's auction. After playing for CSK and KXIP in the past seven years at the IPL, the speedster will once again return to the auction table in 2020.

However, it is highly likely that he might not interest any of the franchises and go unsold in the auction. Sharma has missed the entire domestic season for Haryana this year as his last appearance at any recognised level of cricket came for Chennai against Mumbai Indians in April this year.

His injury-stricken career has often sidelined him at major junctures in his cricketing journey. And might yet again become one of the reasons for him missing out on a contract in IPL 2020.

#4. Yusuf Pathan

Pathan's declining batting prowess may prevent franchises from bidding for him

One of the most powerful hitters in Indian cricket, Yusuf Pathan has gradually witnessed a decline in his performances in his most favoured format of the game. A T20 superstar at one time, Pathan was one of the most highly rated Indian batsmen in the IPL during the first half of this decade.

His stint at Rajasthan Royals until 2010, saw some of his best IPL knocks. He even continued his T20 dominance playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring the second-fastest fifty in IPL history in 2014. He was the backbone for Knight Riders before he was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018.

However, ahead of the auction for IPL 2020, Pathan was released by Sunrisers. The Baroda-lad had an average season with the Orange Army and hence faced the axed before the new season.

Now when he once again returns to the auction table, it is likely that he might return disappointed with none of the franchises interested in bidding for the 37-year old. In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Pathan has failed to put up an impressive show for Baroda. His bowling form has also taken a dip in the recent past.

#3 Barinder Sran

Sran has failed in doing justice to his abilities

The left-arm quick from Punjab, Barinder Sran has failed to justify his talent in the limited opportunities that have come his way. He was handed his India ODI cap quite early in his career with a List A experience of merely eight matches. He was never express quick but had the ability to bowl his consistent accuracy.

However, with his predictive bowling, Sran never tasted enough success, especially in the T20 format. He has never produced an enthralling performance which has indeed forced him to shift his IPL base after every season.

Playing for Punjab, Barinder has not been as effective as his other bowling teammates. At times, the 26-year old has moved down the pecking order with the likes of Siddharth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma, being preferred ahead of him in the bowling department.

Ahead of the IPL auction, Sran was one of the players released by Mumbai Indians. It will be one heck of an achievement if he is successful in earning a bid in the auction. It is probable that he might be one of the unsold Indian fast bowlers in the upcoming auction.

#2 Andrew Tye

Andre Tye failed miserably for KXIP in 2019

The Western Australian cricketer, Andrew Tye earned a name for himself with his enhanced ability in T20s to choke runs in the death overs and pick wickets with his subtle variations. Tye, who picked a five-wicket haul on his debut in the IPL, was expectedly one of the hot buys in IPL 2018.

He was bought for a hefty auction price of INR 7.2 Cr, after an intense bidding war between his eventual franchise Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings. Tye was the purple cap holder in IPL 2018 with 24 wickets in 14 matches for KXIP.

However, he failed to back it up in the next season, and as a result, was released by Punjab ahead of the auction.

As he now makes a comeback to the auction table for another season at the IPL, the Perth-born cricketer might just not earn a place in any of the franchises. The mini-auction offers a limited quota of overseas spots to each team, and it will be a tough ask for Tye to trump some of the best overseas players in red-hot form and get a possible bid for himself.

#1 Robin Uthappa

Uthappa might fail to earn a bid in IPL auction 2020

Robin Uthappa has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL over the years. However, the experienced right-handed batsman was released by his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

It came in as a huge surprise that one awful season with KKR led to his ouster from the team. It also marked an end to his five-year-long stint for Kolkata, after playing nearly 80 games for the franchise.

His recent stats suggest a clear picture of his prolonged struggles with the bat. Uthappa has produced below-par performances in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with an aggregate of 139 in six matches for Kerala.

As he now returns to the IPL scene expecting a bid in the auction, it is highly probable that the stylish right-hander might return empty-handed with none of the franchise showing interest in his abilities as a reliable middle-order batsman.