The IPL Auction 2025, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw 182 players snapped up by 10 teams. Yet, a few big names went unsold, including Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Shardul Thakur. While such surprises aren’t new, history shows that being unsold doesn’t mean the end. Here are four inspiring stories of players who, after being overlooked, grabbed their chance and turned heads with outstanding performances:
Chris Gayle – 2011
Chris Gayle, initially bought by Kolkata Knight Riders, struggled due to injuries and inconsistent form. By 2011, no franchise picked him in the auction. But when RCB’s Dirk Nannes got injured, Gayle was called as a replacement. He seized the opportunity, smashing an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls against KKR and ending the season with 608 runs in 12 matches, including two centuries. Gayle’s explosive batting earned him the Orange Cap that year.
Lendl Simmons – 2014
Mumbai Indians started IPL 2014 poorly, losing four consecutive matches. In a bid to change fortunes, they replaced local talent Jalaj Saxena with West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons. Simmons made an instant impact, scoring consistently and even hitting a century against Punjab. With 394 runs in 8 innings, he helped Mumbai turn their season around, though they eventually lost to CSK in the playoffs.
Imran Tahir – 2017
After an average IPL 2016 season, Imran Tahir went unsold in 2017. But when Mitchell Marsh got injured, Rising Pune Super Giants brought him in. Tahir stepped up, taking 18 wickets in 12 matches, proving invaluable as RPS’s main spinner. Though the team lost the final to Mumbai Indians, Tahir’s performance was pivotal in their campaign.
Steve Smith – 2012
In 2012, Steve Smith went unsold but was later brought in by Pune Warriors as a replacement for an injured Mitchell Marsh. Smith’s 362 runs that season showcased his immense talent and earned him recognition as a future IPL star.
Lesson for Prithvi Shaw
The journeys of these players serve as inspiration for Prithvi Shaw. A solid performance in domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy can reignite his IPL career. With consistent runs and determination, Prithvi can silence critics and make a memorable comeback.
