The Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia threw up a few surprises, one of the most shocking being Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur. A part of the comprehensive Chennai Super Kings (CSK) In the 2024 issue, it was auctioned at a base price of INR 2 crore but failed to attract any bidders.
3 reasons why Shardul Thakur was not sold
1. Inconsistent IPL performances in recent years
Thakur’s decline in IPL form has been evident in the last few seasons. The all-rounder’s contributions fell well short of expectations in the IPL 2024 edition. Representing CSK, he was able to feature in only nine matches where his bowling proved to be as strong as it once was. He claimed just five wickets at an average of 61.80 – well above the league standard.
As a blow, his performance was equally underwhelming. In the three innings he batted, Thakur scored just 21 runs and failed to establish himself as a reliable lower-order contributor. This consistent lack of impressive performances has probably shaken the confidence of potential franchise buyers and led to his exclusion from the IPL 2025 season.
Also READ: Rishabh Pant to Jofra Archer: 10 costliest buys in IPL 2025 Mega Auction
2. Decrease of international exits
A reduced presence in international cricket has further affected Thakur’s IPL prospects. His last international appearance was a test match South Africa in December 2023 and his last ODI outing came in October 2023 Bangladesh. Most notably, Thakur is out of India’s T20I squad from February 2022.
Given the highly specialized demands of the IPL, especially in the fast format, franchises prefer players who contribute regularly in T20Is. Shardul’s long absence from this arena has given teams the impression that he may no longer have the sharpness and skills required to excel in the league.
3. Injury issues and fitness concerns
Injuries also played a big role in Shardul’s recent struggles. A leg injury in June 2024 sidelined him for a considerable period, causing him to miss important matches and affecting his overall fitness. Although he will return to competitive cricket in October 2024 Iran Cup for mumbai against Rest of Indiahis performance failed to inspire confidence.
In the match, Thakur scored just 38 runs in two innings, his bowling – a key aspect of his game – ineffective as he failed to claim a single wicket. For IPL franchises, these fitness concerns and lackluster comeback performances have probably raised red flags about his ability to handle the rigors of the tournament.
