IPL 2018 auction: An XI of top players who went unsold

England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the most expensive buy at Rs 12.50 crores by Rajasthan Royals while left-arm quick Jaydev Unadkat became the most expensive Indian player when he was snapped up by the same franchise for Rs 11.50 crores.

However, as is always the case in IPL player auctions, there were quite a few surprises in terms of experienced international cricketers going unsold despite being called out for the second time or in some cases even a third time.

So, here is a look the best possible XI from the unsold players during the player auctions.

Openers

Hashim Amla

ICC World Twenty20 India 2016: Â South Africa v England

Brought in as a replacement for the injured Shaun Marsh in the 2016 season, the South African batsman was terrific last season for Kings XI Punjab as he amassed 420 runs in 10 games that included two hundreds and two fifties.

Even though he is considered a conventional batsman, Hashim Amla has been prolific in recent years in white ball cricket and is someone who excels by playing proper cricketing strokes. So, the lack of interest shown by all the eight teams came as a little bit of surprise to many.

Martin Guptill

CLT20 2012 Group A - Kolkata Knight Riders v Auckland Aces

One of the most destructive openers, Martin Guptill’s ability or the lack of it to force the issue in Indian conditions went against him.

Guptill didn’t do his reputation any good during the last season when he was bought by Kings XI Punjab at the last minute for his base price of Rs 50 lakhs. He finished the season with only 189 runs in 10 innings with a lone fifty.