The recent auction for The Hundred 2026 has sent ripples through the cricketing world, with teams splashing significant cash to assemble formidable squads for the upcoming season. While many high-profile players secured lucrative deals, a surprising number of well-known names surprisingly went unpicked.
The headline-grabbing moment of the auction was undoubtedly the signing of 21-year-old all-rounder James Coles. Hailing from Sussex, Coles etched his name in history by becoming the most expensive player in The Hundred’s inaugural auction, snapped up by Southern Brave for a staggering £390,000.
A host of established stars, including Joe Root, Adil Rashid, and Aiden Markram, also found new homes during the bidding frenzy. Adding an extra layer of intrigue this year was the presence of four franchises with ownership links to the Indian Premier League (IPL). This connection, however, led to a peculiar situation where several players set to feature in the IPL 2026 season inexplicably failed to attract bids from their IPL-affiliated franchises in The Hundred auction.
IPL 2026 Stars Who Missed Out in The Hundred Auction
Despite their established credentials and upcoming roles in the lucrative IPL, a select group of cricketers found themselves on the wrong side of the auctioneer’s gavel. Here are five such notable players:
Lungi Ngidi (Delhi Capitals)
The South African pace spearhead enjoyed a stellar T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, playing a crucial role in his team’s journey to the semi-finals. Ngidi showcased his prowess by claiming 12 wickets in seven matches, delivering a masterclass in cutters and slower balls that bamboozled many top batsmen, notably against India and the West Indies.Given his current form and consistent performances, Ngidi was widely expected to be a sought-after asset in The Hundred auction. He has also become a regular fixture in the Delhi Capitals’ playing XI for IPL 2026. However, to the astonishment of many, no franchise registered a bid for him. This outcome raised eyebrows, particularly considering that the co-owner of Delhi Capitals also holds a stake in Southern Brave, one of the participating franchises.
Akeal Hosein (Chennai Super Kings)
The West Indies spinner, Akeal Hosein, stands as one of the most successful finger-spinners in the T20 format. His accuracy and ability to deceive batsmen have made him a potent weapon in the shortest format of the game. The Trinidad & Tobago native was a significant acquisition for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026 auction, being picked up for approximately INR 2 crore.Hosein is renowned for his economical bowling and his knack for picking up crucial wickets at any stage of an innings. His consistent performances in various other T20 leagues worldwide further solidified his reputation. Despite this impressive track record, Hosein surprisingly found no takers in The Hundred 2026 auction. This was particularly baffling as he had previously featured in the competition for two seasons.
Azmatullah Omarzai (Punjab Kings)
The Afghan all-rounder, Azmatullah Omarzai, is rapidly ascending the ranks of emerging cricketers globally. His recent impressive performances have earned him recognition and contracts in numerous T20 leagues, including the IPL, SA20, ILT20, and BPL.Omarzai is a genuine all-rounder, capable of making significant contributions with both bat and ball, and has become an integral part of the Punjab Kings setup. Cricket experts believe his style of play is well-suited to English conditions. Despite possessing these valuable attributes and a growing reputation, the Afghan all-rounder failed to attract a single bid during The Hundred auction.
Anrich Nortje (Lucknow Super Giants)
The South African speedster, Anrich Nortje, was once considered one of the fastest bowlers on the planet and has consistently been a menacing presence in T20 cricket. However, his career has been somewhat hampered by injuries in recent years.Despite these setbacks, the Lucknow Super Giants opted to retain him for the IPL 2026 edition, having signed him for INR 2 crore during the mini-auction. He was anticipated to make a strong comeback. Nevertheless, when his name was put forward in The Hundred auction, not a single franchise expressed any interest, leaving many to question the assessment of his current form and fitness.
Xavier Bartlett (Punjab Kings)
Xavier Bartlett is highly regarded as one of Australia’s most promising fast bowlers. His combination of raw pace, pinpoint accuracy, and wicket-taking ability makes him a valuable asset capable of performing effectively on any pitch. Bartlett gained significant attention in 2024 when he was signed by the Punjab Kings for the IPL, who subsequently decided to retain him.He has also represented teams in other leagues, including Major League Cricket. However, in a surprising turn of events, he failed to secure a bid from any franchise in The Hundred 2026 auction, a result that left many cricket enthusiasts perplexed.
