Five Players Remain Unsold as of Now in the WPL Auction

The WPL auction took an unexpected turn as several young and promising talents — Nandani Sharma, Milly Illingworth, Khushi Bhatia, Shabnam Shakil, and Prakashika Naik — remained unsold as of now. While the auction saw intense competition for marquee names, this group of uncapped and rising players struggled to find a franchise, highlighting how strategic and role-specific the bidding has become.

Nandani Sharma, who entered with a base price of ₹20 lakh, was the first to go unsold. Despite her strong domestic performances and ability to contribute with both bat and ball, teams focused heavily on players with established T20 credentials and a clear role. Sharma’s unsold status reflects the tactical depth teams are prioritising rather than any lack of talent on her part.

Australian pacer Milly Illingworth, priced at ₹10 lakh, was another surprising name that received no bids. Known for her raw pace and steep bounce, Illingworth has been rising quickly in Australia’s developmental system. Still, franchises leaned toward more seasoned overseas bowlers with greater exposure to T20 pressure moments, leaving Illingworth waiting for a future opportunity.

Next on the list was Khushi Bhatia, also at a ₹10 lakh base price. A promising wicketkeeper-batter with clean technique, Bhatia faced tough competition in a market where most teams had already secured multi-dimensional keeper options. With limited slots and evolving T20 roles, Bhatia’s skill set just didn’t align with team strategies this time.

Shabnam Shakil, a talented bowler known for her swing and control, was another player who remained unsold at ₹10 lakh. Teams this season seemed to favour pacers with either high pace or extensive match experience. Shakil's controlled bowling style, while effective, wasn’t enough to attract a bid in a pace-heavy auction round.

From Set 11 of the uncapped spinners, Prakashika Naik was the final player to remain unsold. Despite showing excellent consistency in domestic cricket, her chances were limited as teams had already locked in their preferred spin options early in the auction. With several sides preferring established names, Naik’s entry came at a stage where spin slots were nearly filled.

Although these players remain unsold as of now, their journey is far from over. Many cricketers who went unsold in past seasons returned stronger, earning contracts through domestic form or mid-season replacement needs. With the WPL continuing to expand and scouting becoming more refined, these athletes still have numerous opportunities ahead.

For now, their unsold status simply reflects team balance decisions and auction dynamics — not their potential or future in the sport. Fans can expect to see these players bounce back with strong domestic performances and re-enter future WPL cycles with renewed confidence.