Abu Dhabi, December 16: The IPL 2026 auction witnessed a historic moment for Indian domestic cricket as two uncapped teenagers — Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma — rewrote auction records with staggering bids from Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin allrounder from Uttar Pradesh, and Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, became the most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL history after CSK paid ₹14.2 crore each for the duo in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
The previous benchmark for an uncapped Indian player stood at ₹10 crore, set by fast bowler Avesh Khan in 2022.
Massive Payday for Uncapped Indian Talent
Veer and Sharma headlined a remarkable auction day for uncapped Indian players, underlining the growing emphasis franchises place on scouting domestic talent. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dhar earned a life-changing ₹8.4 crore contract from Delhi Capitals (DC), while Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured 23-year-old pace allrounder Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.2 crore.
Several other uncapped players also crossed the ₹1 crore mark:
- Tejasvi Dahiya (KKR) – ₹3 crore
- Mukul Choudhary (LSG) – ₹2.6 crore
- Salil Arora (SRH) – ₹1.5 crore
- Akshat Raghuwanshi (LSG) – ₹2.2 crore
- Naman Tiwari (LSG) – ₹1 crore
Intense Bidding War for Prashant Veer
Veer entered the auction with a modest base price of ₹30 lakh, but the bidding escalated rapidly. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) opened the contest before Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) joined the fray. CSK ultimately outbid all rivals to land the promising allrounder.
Despite limited experience — just nine domestic T20 matches — Veer’s impressive performances in the UP T20 League, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Under-23 tournaments earned him trial opportunities with CSK, significantly boosting his stock.
Kartik Sharma: The Finisher CSK Wanted
Soon after securing Veer, CSK went all-in once again for Kartik Sharma, whose base price was also ₹30 lakh. The bidding followed a similar pattern, with MI and LSG initiating proceedings before Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), SRH and CSK engaged in a fierce contest. CSK sealed the deal at ₹14.2 crore.
Kartik has built a reputation as a powerful lower-order finisher. In 12 domestic T20 matches, he has scored 334 runs at a strike rate of 164, smashing 28 sixes. He is currently managed by JSW Sports, which also represents Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.
CSK Explain Their Strategy
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming highlighted the franchise’s renewed focus on young Indian talent.
“We knew we needed to evolve with the game. Building a strong core of local players is vital, and sometimes that means investing both time and money. These players have been identified not just for immediate impact, but also for the future,” Fleming said.
He added that the franchise’s mid-season reassessment during IPL 2025 played a major role in shaping their auction strategy.
Auqib Nabi’s Rise Continues
Delhi Capitals’ biggest uncapped buy, Auqib Nabi Dhar, attracted bids from Rajasthan Royals, RCB and SRH before DC secured him for ₹8.4 crore. The 29-year-old pacer has been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit, claiming 15 wickets in seven matches in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at an economy rate under eight.
DC head coach Hemang Badani praised Nabi’s versatility, calling him a bowler who can contribute across formats and add depth to the batting line-up.
Mangesh Yadav Draws Attention
RCB also showed faith in raw potential by signing Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.2 crore after a bidding duel with SRH. Though Yadav has played only two domestic T20s, his performances in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League impressed multiple franchises.
A New Era for Uncapped Indians
The IPL 2026 auction underscored a clear shift in team-building philosophy, with franchises willing to make bold financial commitments to uncapped Indian players. For Veer, Kartik, Nabi and others, the auction proved to be a defining moment — not just financially, but also as a testament to India’s deep and rapidly evolving domestic talent pool.
