Jonny Bairstow IPL 2026 : The fans are eager to watch their favorite players back in the T20 format. But they have to deal with a huge blow as some of the big names will not feature in IPL 2023.
Why Jonny Bairstow is not playing in IPL 2026?
Jonny Bairstow is not playing in the IPL 2026 season because he went unsold during the IPL 2026 auction. The experienced England wicketkeeper-batsman had registered for the auction with the hope of joining a franchise, but none of the teams placed a bid for him. In the IPL auction process, only players who are purchased by franchises become part of the tournament, so since Bairstow remained unsold, he was not included in any squad for the 2026 season.
Because the IPL allows only four overseas players in the playing XI, teams often prefer overseas all-rounders or fast bowlers who provide multiple skills rather than specialist wicketkeeper-batsmen. As a result, franchises chose other overseas options instead of investing in Bairstow.
Age and long-term team planning also played a role in the decision. Jonny Bairstow is now in his mid-30s, and many franchises are focusing on younger players who can serve the team for multiple seasons. Because of this strategic shift, some senior international players sometimes go unsold even if they have strong records in the past.
