Ex-RCB Star Ditched IPL To Play PSL, Lists Multiple Reasons, Including Money

Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa was one of the most high-profile names missing from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction list. Zampa had been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of IPL 2026, and did not register for the auction. Instead, Zampa is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Karachi Kings. Regarded as one of the best white-ball spinners in the world, Zampa specified his frustrations over the IPL and revealed exactly why he had ditched the world's premier T20 franchise competition.

Zampa shared that his skillset - that of an overseas wrist-spinner - generally did not get a high bid in the IPL auctions.

"I pulled out of the IPL this year. To be brutally honest, for someone with my skillset, just don't get the money that is there for other skillsets," Zampa said, speaking on the ARY podcast.

"For the amount of time that the IPL takes, it just didn't seem like a reasonable choice for me to keep playing it," Zampa added.

Zampa has been an on-and-off player in the IPL for a number of years, making his debut in 2016 for Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS), after which he also had stints with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, he never managed to play more than six games in a single season. In total, Zampa played 22 IPL games, picking up 31 wickets at an economy-rate of 8.37.

The 34-year-old revealed that playing in the PSL was a last-minute decision.

"I was going to have a break but PSL was on the radar a month ago, it all happened really quick," he said.

With a maximum of four overseas players allowed in the playing XI in the IPL, franchises usually look to invest in powerful overseas run-machines, all-rounders or fast bowlers. Spinners are usually local given India's deep pool in the category.

Topics mentioned in this article

Adam Zampa Royal Challengers Bengaluru Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2026 Pakistan Super League Australia Cricket Team Cricket