The bowling all-rounder’s performances have declined over the last three seasons. For Chennai Super Kings in the 2024 season in nine games, Shardul just picked up five wickets at an average of 61.80 from nine games. While the economy has not been his greatest strength, nack of picking wickets and breaking crucial partnerships was his forte when he was at the peak of his powers. However, in the last few years the wicket-returns too started to diminish and with the impact player rule his batting ability down the order seems to be not much of use when a team can field a specialist finisher in the role.

Kane Williamson: 79 matches| Runs scored 2128| Average: 35.47| Strike Rate: 125.62

In addition to injuries, the New Zealand batting great has been also the victim of “no anchor needed” in IPL in recent years. 2022 was the last season where he captained Sunrisers Hyderabad and played 13 games scoring 216 runs at 19.64. Though he was then brought by Gujarat Titans the franchise only used him on slow and low wickets where the scoring rate would be moderate and required a specific skill-set of manoeuvring the spinners through middle overs and building a steady partnership. However, Williamson could not deliver the team’s needs in the limited opportunities given to him.

David Warner: 184 matches| Runs scored 6565| Average: 40.52| Strike Rate: 139.77

The Australian is a legend of the tournament. However, with a decline in hand-eye coordination, he had issues with high pace and some of the performances he put on for Delhi Capitals last season were painful to watch. Not only did he have issues with scoring runs but his ability to clear boundaries was a skill set which was waning on surfaces which were a touch on the slower side.

Mayank Agarwal: 127 matches| Runs scored 2661| Average: 22.74| Strike Rate: 133.05

For all the potential in the world, Agarwal averages 22.74 in his IPL career. Agarwal’s best years came in when he was playing for Punjab scoring 1,513 runs at an average of 26.04. On either side of that spell, Agarwal flattered to deceive. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad last season the batter struggled against short-pitch bowling in the early stages of the tournament and was eventually dropped. Additionally, he also struggled to keep up with the demands of tempo required for modern games at the Hyderabad-based franchise in the two seasons he was there.

Jonny Bairstow: 50 matches| Runs scored 1589| Average: 34.54| Strike Rate: 144.45

The England batter going unsold would have raised a few eyebrows across the globe. Not only is he an efficient keeper in the T20 format but is a brutal striker of the cricket ball. He is amongst the ilk of modern T20 players whose only agenda is to pummel every ball into the stands. However, playing spin has been his Achilles’ heel and when surfaces started to grip he was found wanting. Because of the composition of Punjab King’s side, which is the franchise he played for in the last couple of seasons his batting position was shuffled up and down which did not help his cause either. He ended up scoring 551 runs at 26.24 for them, which also coincided with his steep decline in form while playing for England.

Prithvi Shaw: 79 matches| Runs scored 1892| Average: 23.95| Strike Rate: 147.47

The youngster is gifted with timing and can put the ball through the gaps in Powerplay if the bowlers err by the slightest margin. Marked as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Shaw’s career has been on a downward spiral for the last few years. In 2023 the batter averaged 13.25 and struggled against bowlers who bowled high 140s in 2023. Though things have improved marginally, he still only averaged 24.75, which is nowhere near the promise he showed in his early years.

Dewald Brevis IPL Career: 10 matches| Runs scored 230| Average: 23.00| Strike Rate: 133.72

Called ‘Baby AB’ Brevis’ career is also at a crossroads. The youngster showed the ability to clear the boundary with ease off any length when playing for Mumbai Indians. However, where he lacked was the ability to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking against tweakers. Though he blitzed with an innings here and there across his T20 career for different franchises, he only averages 24.12 striking at 139.16 from 69 games.

Mustafizur Rahman IPL Career: 57 matches| Wickets: 61| Average: 28.89| Economy: 8.14

Similar to Bairstow, Mustafizur not having buyers too might have surprised a few. He might not be among the top cream of fast bowlers going around the world but is still valuable at the death with his slower ball variations and a decent yorker. After a string of poor seasons, the 2024 season for CSK felt like he found his mojo and a new home in Chennai on sluggish surfaces. He picked up 14 wickets from just nine games at an average of 14.71. However, despite the performances, surprisingly none of the franchises were interested in adding him for 2025.

Sikandar Raza IPL Career: 9 matches| Runs scored 182| Average: 26.00| Strike Rate: 133.82

The Zimbabwe captain has made quite a reputation of himself as a T20 player around the globe. Coming in the middle order he can build innings and accelerate at the end or if the situation demands he can whack the ball over straight boundaries. In addition to his batting, he also can bowl smart off-spin and slip in his carrom ball variation from time to time. Apart from these two qualities his experience of playing in different conditions in various global leagues shows his adaptability.