India and Pakistan. Two countries, and two biggest battles of cricket, IPL and PSL. Actually, IPL is that ocean of the cricket world, where every cricketer gives his life to dive. But this time there is something 'missing' in the story. Look at the calendar for 2026. Both the leagues are not being played face to face but the dates of the matches will remain the same. The PSL bugle will start from 26th March, while the IPL festival will start exactly two days later i.e. from 28th March.
But this time's IPL may seem a bit 'dull'. Reason? Those foreign stars who used to hit fours and sixes in Mumbai's Wankhede, Chennai's Chepauk and Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium for the last decade, are 'missing' this time. This time, legends like David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Moeen Ali will not be seen playing in blue or yellow jersey, but on the pitches of Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The question arises why did this happen? Why are all these players playing Pakistan League instead of IPL?
1. David Warner: Chose the path of PSL himself
David Warner, one of the most explosive openers in IPL history, did not register for IPL 2026. He remained unsold in the mega auction of 2025. After that bitter experience, he refused to give his name in the auction list of 2026. Something will be missing when Warner, who scored more than 6,000 runs in IPL, 3 Orange Caps and led SRH to the title in 2016, is not seen. In the PSL, Karachi Kings bought him for approximately PKR 7.90 crore (about ₹2.37 crore Indian Rupees) and also handed over the captaincy of the team. It is clear that PSL gave him the respect he was looking for.
2. Moeen Ali: Goodbye to IPL after 8 seasons
England's Moeen Ali also did not register for IPL 2026. According to the report of ESPNcricinfo, he decided to give preference to PSL. KKR released him after the 2025 season.
73 matches, 8 seasons. Two IPL titles with CSK in 2021 and 2023. This record is proof of his ability. In PSL, Karachi Kings signed him directly for PKR 6.44 crore (about ₹ 1.93 crore Indian Rupees).
3. Glenn Maxwell: The showman who played 13 seasons
Glenn Maxwell, popularly known as 'Big Show', also did not register for IPL 2026. He took this decision after two weak seasons with Delhi Capitals and one release. His IPL journey, which started in 2012, has currently come to a halt after 13 seasons and 141 matches. He will play for Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL. However, due to war-like circumstances, he will join the Pakistani team only in the second half of the tournament. Franchise owner Fawad Sarwar has confirmed this.
1. David Warner: Chose the path of PSL himself
David Warner, one of the most explosive openers in IPL history, did not register for IPL 2026. He remained unsold in the mega auction of 2025. After that bitter experience, he refused to give his name in the auction list of 2026. Something will be missing when Warner, who scored more than 6,000 runs in IPL, 3 Orange Caps and led SRH to the title in 2016, is not seen. In the PSL, Karachi Kings bought him for approximately PKR 7.90 crore (about ₹2.37 crore Indian Rupees) and also handed over the captaincy of the team. It is clear that PSL gave him the respect he was looking for.
2. Moeen Ali: Goodbye to IPL after 8 seasons
England's Moeen Ali also did not register for IPL 2026. According to the report of ESPNcricinfo, he decided to give preference to PSL. KKR released him after the 2025 season.
73 matches, 8 seasons. Two IPL titles with CSK in 2021 and 2023. This record is proof of his ability. In PSL, Karachi Kings signed him directly for PKR 6.44 crore (about ₹ 1.93 crore Indian Rupees).
3. Glenn Maxwell: The showman who played 13 seasons
Glenn Maxwell, popularly known as 'Big Show', also did not register for IPL 2026. He took this decision after two weak seasons with Delhi Capitals and one release. His IPL journey, which started in 2012, has currently come to a halt after 13 seasons and 141 matches. He will play for Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL. However, due to war-like circumstances, he will join the Pakistani team only in the second half of the tournament. Franchise owner Fawad Sarwar has confirmed this.
4. Marnus Labuschagne: Never a chance in IPL, captain in PSL
Test cricket legend Marnus Labuschagne did not register for IPL 2026. He did not have any big identity in IPL. Labuschagne, who specialized in red ball cricket instead of T20, was always ignored by the IPL franchise. But PSL bought him. Hyderabad Kingsmen signed him directly for PKR 5.88 crore (about ₹ 1.76 crore) and handed over the captaincy of the team.
5. Steve Smith: Ignored twice by IPL
This story is a bit painful. Former Australian captain Steve Smith's name was in the IPL 2026 auction list, but he did not receive any bid. He remained unsold even in the mega auction of 2025. 103 matches, 9 seasons, 2485 runs and captaincy of Rajasthan Royals. This record is his identity in IPL. Still no IPL team bought him. Now Pakistani team Sialkot Stallions has signed him for PKR 14 crore (about ₹ 4.20 crore).
6. Devon Conway: Went to auction, returned empty handed
New Zealand's reliable opener Devon Conway entered the IPL 2026 auction at a base price of ₹ 2 crore, but no team bid. They remained unsold.
In the PSL, Islamabad United signed him for PKR 6.30 crore (about ₹1.89 crore).
7. Daryl Mitchell: No bid in IPL, worth crores in PSL
2021 T20 World Cup hero Daryl Mitchell also faced a similar fate in the IPL 2026 auction. Despite a base price of ₹2 crore, no buyer was found in the end.
In the PSL, Rawalpindi Pindies bought him for PKR 8.05 crore (about ₹2.41 crore).
8. Riley Rousseau: Never known in IPL, explosive entry in PSL
South Africa's explosive left-handed batsman Riley Rousseau did not register for IPL 2026. The big franchises of IPL never noticed him. He has definitely made his mark in other leagues. In the PSL, Quetta Gladiators bought him for PKR 5.55 crore (about ₹1.66 crore Indian Rupees).
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