New Delhi, India

Veteran Australian batter David Warner went unsold on the first day of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) mega auction as franchises were reluctant to invest in him. Warner, having led SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to the IPL title in 2016, was one of the big names to be ignored by the franchises. Despite this, the 38-year-old will retain hopes for a second day in case franchises give a second thought to him.

Advertisment

Warner goes unsold

One of the best batters of his generation, Warner first tasted IPL cricket in 2009 when he was bought by the Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils). He represented the side until 2013 before switching to SRH, where he enjoyed big success. He played for the side until 2021, helping the side win the IPL 2016 and showing his leadership qualities in the side.

He has scored 6565 runs in 184 matches and smashed 62 fifties in his 16 seasons in the biggest league in the world. Warner is also the highest-scoring foreign player in IPL history but is unlikely to play for any side in the IPL 2025.

Advertisment

ALSO READ | BGT 2024-25, Perth Test: Virat Kohli goes past Don Bradman, Jaiswal equals Graeme Smith with hundred

Eyes on other big names

While Warner went unsold, at the time writing big players like Jos Buttler, Glenn Maxwell, and Anrich Nortje attracted big bids. Buttler was the most expensive of the lot, while his fellow English batter, Jonny Bairstow, went unsold. Eyes will also be on veteran players like Faf du Plessis and James Anderson, who are yet to go under the hammer at the time of writing.

Advertisment

Despite rumours of a reported bid for Rishabh Pant, he was not considered by the Chennai Super Kings and was acquired by the Luknow Super Giants for a whopping $3.2 million, making him the most expensive player in the history of the tournament. Despite the Right to Match (RTM) card by the Delhi Capitals, it was LSG who won the battle for the Indian wicketkeeper-batter.