IPL 2026 Auction: Zampa, Shaik Rasheed and Other Big Names Missing From Final Shortlist

The anticipation around the IPL 2026 mini auction is already at a very high level, but the publication of the official 350-player shortlist has given a huge twist to the cricket enthusiasts. A number of famous Indian and international stars have not been selected, and the social media has become very active with the questions and speculations.

The mini auction will be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, and the franchises will make use of this opportunity to make small changes in their squads before the start of the new season. But the non-inclusion of some renowned characters has altered the discussion totally.

High-Profile Players Missing From IPL 2026 Auction

One of the most discussed players not to be part of the auction is Australia’s top leg spinner Adam Zampa, who is recognized as a strong reason for victory in T20 cricket. Also, the name of England’s white-ball spinner Adil Rashid, who has participated in various global T20 leagues, is not there in the shortlist.

Young batter Shaik Rasheed, who was once considered as a future star, has gone unmentioned in the shortlist and thus, Indian fans have shown their disappointment. His non-inclusion has resulted in a barrage of discussions amongst the experts and fans.

In addition to these, the surprise list also includes international players and a few domestic cricketers:

• Mark Chapman
• Alex Carey
• Aaron Hardie
• Rassie van der Dussen
• Tony de Zorzi
• Jayden Seales
• Alick Athanaze
• Virat Singh
• Harvik Desai
• Aryan Juyal
• Aman Mokhade
• Prerak Mankad
• Luvnith Sisodia

The reason why the franchises could not go for the well-known names is that they might be setting their sights on the budding, less expensive talents and this trend may continue until the 2026 season.

What This Means for Teams and Fans

Among the 350 players comprising the final shortlist, the battleground among the teams for the top talents will be very tough. The teams will have to strike an appropriate balance between having stars and the depth of the squad, which will make the Abu Dhabi auction one of the most unpredictable IPL events of recent years.

However, the IPL 2026 auction, despite the exclusions, will continue to be a high-tension situation, leading to bidding wars, and a good number of new faces coming up with their breakout opportunities.