The auction hall in Abu Dhabi witnessed a shocking moment in the IPL 2026 Auction. Prithvi Shaw’s name flashed on the screen, but no paddle went up. Every franchise owner sat quietly without making a single bid.
Shaw walked into the auction with a base price of Rs. 75 lakh. That’s actually quite low for someone with his experience and talent. Yet somehow, not even one team wanted to take a chance on him.
This wasn’t the first time Shaw faced such unsold rejection. Last year’s auction had the exact same outcome for the young opener.
What Went Wrong for Shaw Last Season
The 2024 season turned into a nightmare for the opener. Injuries kept bothering him during the league. His bat just couldn’t find the middle during most games that year.
Shaw managed to score 182 runs across 8 matches only. His average dropped to 22.75, which worried everyone watching. Team owners clearly remembered these struggles when his name appeared at the auction.
IPL 2026 Auction franchises didn’t want to repeat the same mistake twice. They unsold him to other batters who looked more reliable.
Career Numbers Tell a Better Story
Prithvi Shaw has actually done well in his overall tournament journey. He’s played 79 matches and scored 1,892 runs so far. His strike rate of 147.7 proves he can hit boundaries quickly.
The opener has 14 half-centuries to his name already. Everyone knows Shaw loves attacking bowlers during the powerplay overs. Cricket experts still rate his talent very highly.
One bad season shouldn’t define a player’s entire career. Many believe Shaw deserves another opportunity to prove himself.
Domestic Cricket Form Looked Really Strong
Shaw destroyed bowling attacks in the Ranji Trophy this year. He averaged 67.14 which is absolutely brilliant at that level. His confidence seemed to be back after those domestic performances.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy also saw Shaw scoring a quick fifty. He looked like the old Prithvi Shaw who once dominated opening partnerships. These innings proved he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
Teams might pick him up in the second round of the IPL 2026 Auction at lower prices. Sometimes, franchises wait and grab unsold players later for better deals. Shaw’s supporters are keeping their fingers crossed for good news soon.
