Won U19 World Cup with Virat, Starred in IPL—Yet Siddarth Kaul Finds No Takers in Big Bash Draft

He was once India’s rising pace hope—bowling India to victory in the 2008 U19 World Cup final under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. But in a surprising twist, Siddarth Kaul, the man who once wore the India jersey and impressed in the IPL, has gone unsold in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 draft.

Overlooked Despite Experience

The BBL draft, held on 19 June, saw all eight franchises strengthening their squads with marquee names and young talent. Yet, Kaul’s name didn’t come up even once in the final selection. Despite putting his name up for the league, the 33-year-old pacer received no bids.

A Look at Siddarth Kaul's Career

• Member of India’s U19 World Cup-winning team (2008) alongside Virat Kohli.

• Took 2 wickets in the final against South Africa, helping seal the title.

• ODI debut for India in 2018 vs England in Nottingham.

• Played 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is — took 4 wickets in T20Is.

• IPL stats: 58 wickets in 55 matches

• Overall T20 record: 182 wickets in 145 matches at an average of 22.04

Why Was He Ignored?

While Kaul's domestic and IPL stats are respectable, he hasn't been in the limelight recently. His last IPL appearances were scattered, and with franchises increasingly preferring younger, high-impact bowlers or proven international stars, Kaul may have been edged out purely due to market dynamics.

BBL 2025-26: Who Got In?

The franchises loaded up with a mix of Aussie regulars and global stars. Here are some notable picks:

• Sydney Sixers: Babar Azam, Steve Smith, Sean Abbott

• Melbourne Stars: Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tom Curran

• Perth Scorchers: Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Ashton Turner

• Brisbane Heat: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro

• Melbourne Renegades: Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon

• Sydney Thunder: David Warner, Daniel Sams

Even with his experience, Kaul couldn’t find a place among these loaded lineups.

A Harsh Reality of Modern Cricket

Siddarth Kaul’s journey—from a World Cup-winning teenager to being left out of global franchise leagues—highlights the cutthroat nature of professional cricket. In an age where form, marketability, and recent performance trump past glories, even a seasoned player can slip through the cracks.