IPL Auction 2024: From Philip Salt to Odean Smith - Top 5 omissions

IPL Auction 2024: Top 5 capped unsold players at the Auction. Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt and Odean Smith are some of the top omissions.

Phil Salt got no buyer at IPL 2024 Auction (Photo: ©X/Twitter)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction witnessed a fair share of surprising bids and nail-biting moments as all ten franchises battled it out to get the best cricketing talent around the globe. However, amidst all the crazy and high-stake gambles, there were some notable names, who found themselves as unsold players. 

Let’s delve into the possible reasons behind the unexpected fate of these omissions of the IPL 2024. 

Top five omissions from the IPL 2024

Philip Salt (Base price INR 1.5 crore)

It was surprising to see England’s dynamic power-hitting opener, Philip Salt going unsold at the 2024 mini auction at a base price of INR 1.5 crore. Salt was expected to be in high demand after a decent debut season in 2023 with Delhi Capitals, where he managed 218 runs at a strike rate of 163.91.

“It was a confusing morning.” Salt recognized the auction as the part of lottery, “I expected to be picked up, having gone there last year and done well and after the year that I’ve had, but these things happen.”  

In the ongoing West Indies T20I series, he has cracked 331 runs in five innings at an average of 82.75 and a strike rate of 185.95 with two centuries. When it comes to T20s, Salt has a strike rate of 150 in nearly 200 games. He also offers wicket-keeping facilities. It was quite shocking not to see any team lifting the paddle for him. 

Read More: IPL Auction 2024: Top 5 costliest buys

Josh Hazlewood went unsold in Auction (Images: ©BCCI/IPL)

Josh Hazlewood (Base price INR 2 crore)

The ignorance towards the Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was another surprising moment of the auction. Hazlewood was brilliant in the last few seasons of the IPL, having taken 35 wickets in 27 games at an economy of 8.06.  He can bowl a few overs in the powerplay, besides foxing the batters at the death with his slow cutters. 

In 52 T20s, Hazlewood has picked up 68 wickets at an average of 21.5 and an economy of 7.46. Rather than going after pacers at a high price, teams could think of securing Hazlewood’s services for the tournament. However, his unavailability for the first part of the competition due to the birth of his child could be a reason for the teams not showing any interest in the lanky pacer. 

Read More: IPL Auction 2024: From Rachin to Hasaranga - Top 5 steal deals for franchises

Adil Rashid (Base price INR 2 crore)

One of the cunning T20 leg spinners, England’s Adil Rashid didn’t find any IPL team in the auction. Rashid has been an excellent bowler for England, in all the phases of the game. Whether it’s about drying up one end to increase the pressure, or it’s about taking crucial wickets, Rashid has a knack for getting the job done, as he is the fifth joint-highest T20I wicket-taker with 107 scalps at an economy of 7.38.

He didn’t have a great IPL season in 2023 with just two wickets at an economy of 9.10, but his overall T20 record of 134 scalps in 116 games at an economy of 7.6 is impressive. He could have been given an opportunity, especially for by sides that needed quality spinners.  

James Neesham (Base price INR 1.5 crore)

Having a quality all-rounder on any side for the shortest format of the game is beneficial. James Neesham is a good all-rounder, and having played around the globe, he comes with lots of experience, but still went unsold in the auction at a base price of INR 2 crore.

Neesham hasn’t cracked the IPL code yet, with just 61 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of just 92.42, besides taking eight wickets at an economy of 9.24. However, his T20I record for New Zealand is fabulous, as he has nailed 823 runs in 56 innings at a strike rate of 158.3, besides picking up 35 scalps.  All-rounders are the life of T20 cricket, as they could contribute to various departments of the game. So, Neesham’s omission from the auction was particularly shocking.

Read More: IPL 2024 Auction: Starc, Cummins, Mitchell, Harshal top bids; MI, RR, SRH look settled on paper

Odean Smith was with Gujarat untill IPL 2023 (Images: ©BCCI/IPL)

Odean Smith (Base price of INR 50 lakh)

There are very few players around the globe, who could smash the ball harder than Odean Smith. The Caribbean all-rounder is so powerful that he could explore at the death phase of the game. Smith has a strike rate of 139.9 in 20 T20I innings.  Even in his 46 T20s, he has a strike rate of 131.2, which is quite good.

Smith has struggled a bit in his short IPL career, having scored 51 runs at a strike rate of 115.91 in six games. However, he could be the X-factor for any team in the shortest format of the game and could change the fate of the result from any situation. 

Read More: IPL Auction 2024: When INR 20 cr mark was breached twice