Follow UsIndian Premier League (IPL) 2025 did not go well for several players, mostly the overseas recruits of many teams. However, those same players have been a revelation in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025. Thus, they are trying to get into the good books of their franchise owners to get retained in their squad ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction.
Here are three such IPL flops who could be retained ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, mainly on the basis of their MLC 2025 showing.
Shimron Hetmyer, who was one of the reasons for Rajasthan Royals (RR) failing to win at least four close matches, where they were unable to chase down relatively easy targets, has salvaged his reputation as a serial match-winner and finisher in the shortest format, by winning back-to-back matches for his MLC team, Seattle Orcas.
The Guyanese, who scored a total of 239 runs at a dismal average of 21 in IPL 2025, smashed two unbeaten match-winning second innings knocks of 97* and 64* and re-established his credentials as a match-winner, making a strong case for his retention.
Faf du Plessis became the first player in the T20s to score two or more centuries after turning 40 as he smashed both of them in the MLC 2025. He has been in stunning form in the American league, aggregating a total of 317 runs in just seven innings and becoming the leading run-scorer with at least four matches to come for him.
On the other hand, soon to be 41, du Plessis could only score 202 runs in nine matches for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025, averaging a lowly 22 while batting at the top of the order and striking at an unimpressive 123. In MLC 2025, as of June 30, he was averaging 52 and striking at 179 for the Texas Super Kings (TSK), forcing the Capitals to take note of retaining him.
Glenn Maxwell could not play the entire season of IPL 2025 for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). In fact, he played only seven matches and was dismal in them to say the least, scoring a total of only 48 runs, at an average of 8 and a strike rate of 97, which is something one could never associate with the Big Show.
However, the 36-year-old seems to have more than just redeemed himself by scoring 235 runs in seven games in MLC 2025. He averages a solid 47 and strikes at an outstanding rate of 194.21.
With the ball, Maxwell picked four wickets in seven games for PBKS and for Washington Freedom, he is no less adequate, picking three wickets so far in 10 overs that he has bowled. He bowled 13 overs in IPL 2025.