5 most underrated players released ahead of IPL 2026 auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction is set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. As teams reshaped their squads through a mix of retention and releases, several big names unsurprisingly parted ways with their franchises.

However, a handful of underrated yet highly valuable players were also released, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts. These cricketers may not always dominate headlines, but their potential and past performances suggest they could be impactful assets for the right teams.

On that note, let us take a look at the five most underrated players released ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

Here are 5 most underrated players released ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Tim Seifert

New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert is among the most underrated players to be released before the auction. A member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025, Seifert did not get an opportunity to take the field. His earlier stints with Kolkata Knight Riders (2021) and Delhi Capitals (2022) also saw him benched for most of the season.

Despite his lack of IPL game time, Seifert has a strong T20 reputation, boasting an impressive strike rate of 142.52 in international cricket. His ability to accelerate quickly and adapt in pressure situations makes him an asset, yet he finds himself back in the auction pool once again.