As the IPL 2025 season progresses, attention is already turning to the next mini auction, where team strategies and player performances will heavily influence who gets picked.
Among the seasoned Indian players, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, and Rahul Tripathi are under scrutiny due to their recent form.
Here’s a detailed look at why these three players might face the risk of going unsold in the IPL 2026 auction.
1. Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey has had an IPL career marked by highs and lows. In the 2025 auction, he was bought back by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a relatively modest price of INR 75 lakh.
Despite his experience and past match-winning innings, Pandey has struggled to maintain a steady impact in the last few seasons.
His role as a middle-order stabilizer is increasingly challenged by younger, more explosive players.
With KKR giving him a chance to revive his form, his future auction prospects hinge on his performance this season. As he has failed to deliver till now, franchises may hesitate to invest in him next year.
2. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda has been a valuable asset in previous IPL seasons, offering both batting depth and useful off-spin.
However, his recent IPL performances have not matched expectations, and with teams now favoring specialized roles or younger all-rounders, Hooda’s demand might decline.
His current form could make it difficult for him to attract bids in the next auction.
While he remains a capable player, IPL franchises are increasingly looking for players who can consistently impact games, and Hooda’s inconsistency might work against him.
3. Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi, a dynamic top-order batsman, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency at the IPL level.
In IPL 2025, he was bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 3.4 crore, indicating some faith in his potential.
However, this season he performed really below par. His relatively modest strike rate and inability to convert starts into big innings may lead franchises to overlook him in favor of more impactful players.
