Kangana’s famous dialogue from the movie ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’. ‘Reebok Nahi Toh Rebook Hi Sahi’ just got a real-life scenario. The dialogue which translates that what if you can’t have original, alternative or imitation will do just fine.
This is the exact scenario that’s happening in the cricket world. Yes, if you thought only sneakers got knockoffs, welcome to the world of T20 cricket. Here if you don’t get the ‘original’ IPL, there’s always the ‘Rebook’ PSL! As we know the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) are running simultaneously for the first time. While IPL still hogs the global limelight, PSL became a shelter to high-profile international cricketers who went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. This time, the IPL auctioneer’s hammer fell and big names like David Warner and Kane Williamson went unsold.
This is how PSL franchises were already warming up their fastest fingers first to clinch these auction rejects, ‘Bro, are you free this April-May? We’ve got a captaincy slot and a hair dryer with your name on it.’ Ahh! Jokes apart, we aren’t demeaning anything, it’s just a friendly match, ain’t it? Corporate Soldiers has brought some of sizzling drama straight from cricket stadiums! Let’s see how unsold IPL players have found their way to PSL 2025!
The List of Unsold IPL Players This Season!
We all know how every IPL auction becomes a whirlwind of drama. Here, some dreams find their way to the sky and some become crushed in the blink of an eye. This year, too, was the same. The list of unsold players had international cricket stars such as David Warner, Kane Williamson, Rassie van der Dussen, Jason Holder, Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza, Alzarri Joseph, Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen, Kyle Jamieson, Shai Hope, Daryl Mitchell, and many more. Among these twinkling stars, some were seasoned veterans. It’s possible that they were already at their peak, and others were merely overshadowed by more explosive or aggressive young talent. But as the IPL doors slammed shut, the PSL doors opened for these ‘auction rejects’. Even some of them became the most expensive players in PSL.
Is IPL The Clearance Sale For PSL?
If the IPL auction is like a high-stakes fashion runway and you’re not trending, you’re out. It happened with Warner and all other players who remain unsold in IPL. There is a a saying, ‘Someone’s Trash is Another’s Treasure!’ and it fits PSL, as they handpicked these IPL auction rejects in the same manner. Yes, it’s none other than David Warner! After going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Warner turned the tables and became the most expensive player in PSL history. The Karachi Kings claimed the player for $300,000 and immediately appointed him as their captain. Much a leap for Karachi Kings, eh?
Kane Williamson? From IPL commentary box to PSL’s Karachi Kings squad, all in a week. Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Finn Allen, Rassie van der Dussen, Mohammad Nabi, Jason Holder, Sikandar Raza, Shai Hope, Daryl Mitchell, Matthew Short, nevermind us if we say that the PSL 2025 squads look like a ‘Best of IPL Leftovers’ playlist.
But we are not exactly calling them rejects, instead we should call them ‘pre-loved.’ Apologies, please! In PSL, these stars are not just picked, they are pampered. It’s like being ghosted by your crush only to be crowned prom king at the next school.
The Massive Difference Between IPL and PSL
Why IPL Stands Tall? Are you wondering about it? Or there is no such doubt! Take this little bit of eye-opener, and you will know where the shoe really pinches. The top earner in the IPL this year, Rishabh Pant got a salary of ₹27 crore while the PSL’s highest-paid player, Warner, is managing to get only ₹2.5 crore. Let’s just say, in the IPL, even the guy handing out water bottles probably has a contract that could make a PSL star jealous.
Similarly, the winning team in the IPL gets around $2.4 million, on the other hand, PSL gets $500,000. This is genuinely the massive difference between both leagues. Let’s see how IPL differs from PSL!
IPL teams are like mini-empires, backed by serious cash and with almost all of their expenses covered by the league’s central revenue. Yes, central revenue covers up to 90% of costs. They are free to splash out on the biggest names and best players, invest heavily in flashy marketing campaigns, and then profit from 45% of the league’s insane revenue. On the other hand, PSL operates on a much tighter budget. While they get to keep a bigger share of the revenue (around 95%), the total amount is significantly smaller. They have to be smart about managing costs, relying on a draft system and fixed salary categories, and even staggering payments to keep things afloat. It’s a philosophy of ‘money is no object’ for IPL while for PSL, it is ‘make every penny count’.
Why Do Big Names Go Unsold in IPL but Play in PSL?
Well, because of IPL’s auction dynamics! No doubt, IPL’s ten teams have deep pockets but also consist of fierce competition for limited overseas slots. Yes, here players are fighting tooth and nail for a limited number of overseas player slots.
This means that even established stars can get overlooked if they’re deemed too old, out of form, or not the right fit for the team’s overall strategy. On the other hand, PSL has a draft system it means ‘target specific unsold IPL players and clinch them by providing prominent roles’. Atleast, these unsold players will be cost-efficient. For unsold players, this becomes a ‘something is better than nothing’ philosophy or let’s say ‘anything counts’. Hence, they play in PSL.
Similarly, PSL salaries are much lower than IPL, so competition to play in IPL mounts pressure on players. So, for ‘pre-loved’ players, PSL offers top billing and leadership roles to players who might otherwise be on the fringes in the IPL.
How Much They Got in IPL Previous Seasons?
So, let’s see how much these ‘pre-loved’ players got during previous seasons of IPL. We bet when you look at the numbers, you will realize how these players are taking a significant pay cut by heading to the PSL. While they might be getting a chance to play, the reality is that their current salaries seem quite pale in comparison to what they were earning just a few years ago in the IPL.
David Warner is now making ₹2.5 crore in the PSL 2025, previous year during IPL he got the amount of ₹6.25 crore. Similarly, Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow, and several others are earning significantly less than their previous IPL salaries. This shows the financial realities that these players are facing at PSL despite their talent and experience. But as we said, something is better than nothing. However, we can’t just close our eyes!
| Player | Status | IPL Salary (Year Wise) | PSL Current Salary 2025 |
| David Warner | Unsold | ₹6.25 crore (2024) | ₹2.5 crore |
| Kane Williamson | Unsold | ₹2 crore (2023) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Jonny Bairstow | Unsold | ₹6.75 crore (2023) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Steve Smith | Unsold | ₹2.2 crore (2021) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Rassie Van Der Dussen | Unsold | ₹1crore (2022) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Adil Rashid | Unsold | ₹2 crore (2023) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Mohammad Nabi | Unsold | ₹1crore (2023) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Alzarri Joseph | Unsold | ₹2.4 crore (2023) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Daryl Mitchell | Unsold | ₹5 crore (2024) | ₹1.4 crore |
| Tom Curran | Unsold | ₹1.5 crore (2021) | ₹70 Lakh |
| Sam Billings | Unsold | ₹2 crore (2022) | ₹70 Lakh |
As the game goes on and on between rejecting and clinching, we can’t deny the fact that IPL teams spend like royalty and there will always be a massive difference between IPL and PSL. For IPL, if they want a player, they get him, and if they don’t, PSL will be there for clearance sale.
Corporate Soldiers wish them both to survive, to entertain and to let PSL retain what remains!
