The SA20 2025-26 auction concluded with Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis stealing the show, but several high-profile cricketers surprisingly remained unsold. Even seasoned IPL stars and international players missed out, highlighting how franchises prioritise form, availability, and strategy over reputation. The list of unsold players in SA20 auction sparked debates about recent performances and scheduling, showing a clear shift in team selection priorities.
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4 Big Names from Unsold Players in SA20 Auction List
The most widely discussed players who went unsold are Mustafizur Rahman, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Temba Bavuma, and James Anderson. Mustafizur Rahman, one of the consistent middle and death overs talents from Bangladesh who played for several IPL franchises such as Delhi Capitals, was under uncertainty regarding availability.
Bangladesh Cricket Board’s practice of limiting NOCs for overseas tournaments and possible conflicts with the BPL perhaps discouraged SA20 franchises from placing bids. This was one of the more surprising examples among the unsold players in SA20 auction.
Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali, an experienced spinner and useful lower-order batsman who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, was one of the biggest surprises to remain unsold. A match-winner in his heyday who used both bat and ball to turn matches, Moeen added variety to the bowling effort with his off-spinner and a capability to finish off the innings in style.
But his recent IPL appearances told a different story; he could muster only five runs in two games at a woeful average of 2.50, sending questions about his current batting form. He is 38 now, so franchises might also be considering the physical toll of T20 cricket, especially the South African league’s fast tracks and demanding schedule. Though his leadership and experience cannot be questioned, teams have seemed to favour younger all-rounders who can deliver consistently and have not left Moeen out of the team in spite of his illustrious career.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the explosive Afghanistan opener and wicketkeeper, was another big surprise among the unsold players in SA20 auction. Famous for his explosive strokeplay and the capability of maximising powerplay overs, Gurbaz has been a T20 value player who has consistently been known to set up his side with big hits. However, recent performances have not been consistent, which must have torpedoed his chances in the SA20 auction.
In IPL 2025, he managed only 74 runs in five innings with a batting average of 18.50, while his strike rate was humble at 127.52 in the Global Super League. Even on the international platform, his performance in the UAE T20I Tri-Series was subpar, making 98 runs in five innings.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Sep 9 😬
Out for 8 (5) vs Hong Kong in the Asia Cup
Unsold at the SA20 Auction#AsiaCup #SA20Auction pic.twitter.com/1E8TPa4ZSK
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 9, 2025
Despite being relatively young and physically capable, franchises may have viewed him as a risky option, preferring players with a more proven and steady T20 record. This patchy form, combined with intense competition from emerging talent, likely explains why the swashbuckling Afghan opener failed to attract a bid.
Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma, a seasoned South African and a highly regarded leader, was perhaps one of the most unexpected to remain unbid at the SA20 auction. Famous for the calmness he has shown at the crease as well as his ability to anchor the innings in tense situations, Bavuma has been a regular for the national team in all three formats. Apart from his batting, he contributes huge experience, awareness, and leadership qualities, which can assist younger colleagues in intense-pressure T20 games.
🚨Temba Bavuma has gone UNSOLD in the first round of the #SA20Auction
He can be called back later though pic.twitter.com/nMmdgpcURH
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 9, 2025
Nevertheless, even with these qualifications, franchises could have given preference to younger, explosive power-hitters able to send the ball over boundaries from the first over. Bavuma’s patient approach, though precious in test and ODI cricket, could have appeared less appropriate for the pace-oriented T20 set-up.
Moreover, recent global performances have been consistent but unspectacular, and that might have been the reason for his exclusion. Teams seem to be gambling on those who can make an immediate impact instead of experienced campaigners, and Bavuma was left surprisingly among the unsold players in SA20 auction.
James Anderson
England’s James Anderson, one of the greatest swing bowlers in the history of cricket, was also left unsold, which has raised more than a few eyebrows around the cricketing world. Having played for more than 20 years, Anderson has regularly used seam-friendly conditions to devastating impact and can be extremely dangerous with the new ball. His talent, experience, and mentoring capabilities of young bowlers make him an asset for any T20 team.
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At 42, though, age and workload management issues would have surely been a priority for franchises. The SA20 schedule with several back-to-back games on fast tracks may be a challenge for a bowler with so many years of demanding cricket behind him. While Anderson’s mastery of swing is unquestionable, teams may have been hesitant to invest in a player whose immediate physical readiness and longevity in the tournament could be uncertain. This combination of age, scheduling considerations, and the preference for younger, more durable fast bowlers likely explains why even a legend like Anderson went unsold.
Final Words
These unsold players reflect a change in franchise focus, placing value on youth, recent form, and availability ahead of reputation. Even established names such as Temba Bavuma and James Anderson cannot expect selection, showing that T20 leagues are still competitive and volatile.
