Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib-al Hasan and former Australia captain Steve Smith were among the big names that went unsold in this year’s IPL auction in Bangalore.
None of the franchises bidding for Shakib, who has been the No.1-ranked all-rounder as per the ICC rankings and currently occupies the second spot, was certainly very surprising.
Shakib’s performance in IPL 2021 wasn’t really impressive as he aggregated only 47 runs in eight appearances and scalped only four wickets with his left-arm spin. But performance cannot be the sole reason behind Shakib going unsold.
In his last five appearances for Fortune Barishal in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, Shakib has three half-centuries and taken 10 wickets as well, which does reflect his good form with both bat and ball. However, his unavailability during the second phase of this year’s IPL could be one reason why the franchises didn’t bid for him.
“Sri Lanka are set to tour Bangladesh in May for a two-Test series, which will be a part of the ongoing World Test Championship title. That means Shakib will not be available during the second phase of this IPL, which usually turns out to be the most important phase of the competition.
“Franchises wouldn’t want to let go of a player, especially in that phase,” said a Bangladesh Cricket Board source.
As for Smith, he hasn’t been in very good form in T20 cricket, not just in the IPL, where he couldn’t play more than eight matches last year for Delhi Capitals.