As soon as the IPL 2026 season got underway in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, it wasted no time in delivering a major surprise at the auction table. One of the most surprising moments of the opening phase came when Australian firebrand batter Jake Fraser-McGurk surprisingly went unsold, despite carrying a hefty base price of ₹2 crore. On the other hand, South Africa's experienced batter David Miller found a new home as Delhi Capitals secured his services at his base price of ₹2 crore. Miller, who is a proven finisher with years of IPL experience, brings power-hitting ability to the Delhi setup.
Fraser-McGurk, known for his explosive and fearless approach at the top of the order, was expected to attract interest from multiple franchises. However, as the bidding rounds progressed, he was overlooked by all franchises. New Zealand wicket-keeper batter Devon Conway also went unsold. Young Indian opener Prithvi Shaw also did not find any franchises.