The IPL is all set for its 18th season, as the full two-month-long, cash-rich T20 league is scheduled to start in March and run until May.One thing that always comes into the spotlight is the wicketkeeper-batter, typically aggressive, who has done a wonderful job for the team. Whether it is MS Dhoni or Dinesh Karthik, when he was part of RCB as a finisher, he played really well. In IPL 2025, there are many wicketkeeper-batters like Sanju Samson and even Jos Buttler, who, if he keeps wicket for GT, will make things exciting to watch. However, there are many names who haven’t made it into IPL 2025, as they went unsold in the recently held mega auction.
But since there are still chances of them joining the league as replacements, let’s take a look at all three unsold wicketkeepers who could still come into IPL 2025.
Wicketkeepers who can come in as replacement players in IPL 2025
Jonny Bairstow
He did well in the SA20, but before that, nothing went well for the former Punjab Kings batter at the IPL auction, as he went unsold due to his poor batting performances in the last few IPL seasons, especially when he was part of Punjab Kings. However, there is no question about how much he has improved, or more than that, how lethal he can be, especially in the first few overs. What makes him still valuable is his flexibility; he can bat at the top or in the middle order. He can surely be a good player if any team needs a replacement for an injured player.
Avanish Aravelly
Avanish Aravelly, who was with Chennai Super Kings last season, is a youngster who showed promise in domestic cricket. This wicketkeeper-middle-order batter did well in List A cricket, with an average of 30.25 and scored an impressive 242 runs, including two fifties and a century. He went unsold this time, but he could come in as a replacement if any team looks for a 19-year-old to give a chance. Since there is so much he can learn, he will surely look to give his best.
Alex Carey
Registered in the IPL 2025 auction with a base price of INR 1 crore, Carey couldn’t find any buyer. Having entered the IPL scene in 2020 with Delhi Capitals, he couldn’t make an impact, scoring just 32 runs. Since then, he hasn’t been part of the IPL. However, this time he went unsold, but he could still get into a team if they need a batter who can keep wickets as well and get things right as far as middle-order batting is concerned, with an aggressive approach.
