Top 5 Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played

The IPL auction blends drama, strategy, and surprises—where unknowns become millionaires and teams chase the next star. Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played, sometimes big-money buys never see a single ball bowled or faced. This list looks at five such costly gambles—players who were signed for crores but didn’t play a single game, turning into cautionary tales of misjudgment, bad timing, or lost opportunity.

Let`s take a look at the Top 5 Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played:

5. Nathan Coulter-Nile – ₹5 Crore (Mumbai Indians, 2020)

Mumbai Indians spent ₹5 crore on Nathan Coulter-Nile, expecting him as backup for Bumrah and Boult. Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played, despite his experience, he didn’t play a single game due to MI’s settled overseas core. While MI won the title, Coulter-Nile became an expensive benchwarmer and a missed opportunity.

4. Andrew Tye – ₹1 Crore (Rajasthan Royals, 2021)

Andrew Tye, the Aussie T20 specialist famous for his slower balls and clever variations, was bought by Rajasthan Royals in 2021 for ₹1 crore—a bargain on paper. Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played, amid RR’s injury-hit season and constant lineup changes, Tye never got a chance to play.

Despite being a former Purple Cap winner and proven IPL performer, he spent the entire season on the sidelines and eventually left due to bubble fatigue. With Mustafizur Rahman and Chris Morris preferred, Tye became surplus to requirements. His season highlighted the unpredictability of foreign player rotations in IPL squads dealing with availability and form challenges.

3. Pawan Negi – ₹3.2 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2020)

Once an IPL millionaire with Delhi Daredevils and a promising left-arm spinner-allrounder, Pawan Negi was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹3.2 crore in 2020. Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played, KKR fans hoped he’d strengthen their spin attack or add lower-order firepower.

But Negi never played a single game that season. KKR relied on Narine, Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep, leaving Negi on the sidelines despite the team’s struggles with form and fitness.

This baffled fans and experts alike, showing that switching franchises doesn’t always revive a player’s career, no matter the price tag.

2. Riley Meredith – ₹8 Crore (Punjab Kings, 2021)

The 2021 auction valued raw pace highly, and Punjab Kings paid a hefty ₹8 crore for Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith, hoping he’d be their secret weapon with speeds over 145 km/h. Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played, Meredith didn’t play a single match that season. PBKS rotated overseas pacers like Jhye Richardson and Chris Jordan while leaning on Indian bowlers Mohammad Shami and Arshdeep Singh. Despite being fit, Meredith remained on the bench.

His IPL journey highlighted that raw speed alone doesn’t guarantee playing time in the tactical world of T20 cricket.

1. Gurkeerat Singh Mann – ₹5 Crore (RCB, 2022)

In the 2022 mega auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore shocked many by bidding ₹5 crore for Gurkeerat Singh Mann, a reliable domestic player expected to bolster the lower-middle order and offer part-time spin. Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played, Gurkeerat never featured in any of RCB’s matches despite their struggles with Indian batting options.

As RCB kept adjusting their lineup, he remained sidelined throughout the season. This costly investment highlighted how even proven domestic talent can sometimes become a tactical misfit.

Conclusion

These Top 5 Costly Auction Picks Who Never Played highlight the unpredictable nature of the IPL auction. Despite hefty price tags and high expectations, various factors like team balance, form, fitness, and strategy can leave even talented players sidelined. These cases serve as reminders that big money doesn’t always guarantee game time, making IPL auctions as thrilling — and risky — as the game itself.

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