Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga, who is the highest wicket taker in IPL did not find a buyer for the upcoming edition of the IPL.

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Gayle third time lucky

In an IPL auction, where fast bowlers who can bowl with pace and fire were the first to be targeted by the franchises, it is indeed surprising that Malinga remained unsold.

Malinga had picked up 154 wickets in 110 matches in the IPL at a strike rate of 16.6 and an average of 19.01. He carried the Mumbai Indians to the final in 2010 and was the leading wicket-taker in the 2011 edition of the tournament.

It was Malinga's crucial performances which led to Mumbai Indians winning the title back in 2015. Despite his performances, Malinga was one of the strange exclusions for the upcoming IPL.

However, speed stars like Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were also left without a team for this IPL as franchises opted for all-rounders. In the shortest version of the game, all-round capabilities were rewarded by the IPL franchises. Bangladesh's ace pacer Mustafizur Rahman joined the Mumbai Indians while Shakib Al Hasan's Surisers Hyderabad picked as many as eight quicks in their side.

Hashim Amla is another big-name performer who did not find a buyer during the IPL auctions which took place at Bangalore.