IPL 8: Top 10 unsold players in the auction

Technique and international experience have no value in IPL, one may argue. On a day when an unknown off-spinner from Bangalore, with only a single season of interstate T20 competition behind him went for crores, possibly the world's best batsman, albeit in a different format, had no takers at all. 

Many foreign stars were ignored and possibly the limit on the number of slots available had an effect in their omission.

Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla, regarded as the batting machine, is not just a one-dimensional player but someone who can just walk into any pitch, against any opposition and still score runs no matter what the format is. If that is so, the decision to leave out the craftsman is baffling. 

For those who have an ear for statistics, Amla has a T20 average of 29.10 at a strike rate of 123.41. To be precise, Amla scores faster than the likes of Steven Smith, Shikhar Dhawan and many more. 

Kumar Sangakkara

The Sri Lankan went unsold despite being one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen of all time. With a convincing record in IPL, having played since the inaugural season, till 2013, Sangakkara leads the long standing list of players from the island nation who went unpicked in the auction. Mind you, he is still in prime batting form.

Mahela Jayawardene

The right-hander is another who holds a great reputation in international cricket. Having retired from the longer format, the franchises might have taken his age into account in deciding not to bid for the player.

Ross Taylor

The Kiwi middle order batsman was not at his best last time around, but that should not have resulted in him being snubbed out of the tournament itself. Taylor is still only 30, means that he has years left in him and is one of the reliables for New Zealand.

Alex Hales

Standing tall, the Englishman can set the tone for the rest of the innings with brutal assaults at the top of the order. Having found a place in England's World Cup squad, Hales would've been very much successful in batting friendly conditions, especially if he negotiates spin better.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

The in-form opener was not required anymore in the RCB camp, where he served till 2013. However, it is a bit of a surprise to see him ignored by all the teams as the batsman is in good nick going into the World Cup in Australia.

Ben Hilfenhaus

Australia's frontline swing bowler might not be playing international cricket anymore but still is a reliable operator with the new ball. Not many can score freely of his lethal outswingers that can unsettle any batting order with early wickets.

Marlon Samuels

The restriction on his bowling might have had a telling effect as the West Indian was unable to find a side in the IPL once again. The Caribbean star is still a worthy pick for his batting alone. 

Brad Hodge

The veteran is one of the world's highest run-getters in the T20 format. Capable of switching gears at will, Hodge gives the assurance in the middle-order that very few players could offer.

RP Singh

Yes, one has to agree that he is not a hundred percent, both physically and as a player. Yet, the left-arm seamer is still competitive and has a telling yorker, given that he lands them right. After a modest 2013 season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the pacer has gone missing from the tournament.

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