 "CSK trying to change their image from 'Dad's Army' to 'Toddler's Army'? Image: Insta-NoidaKings/Kartik")
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made headlines at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday by investing heavily in two young uncapped Indian talents - Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. Both players are under 20 years of age, but they have already shown strong potential in domestic cricket and the T20 format. They are both now the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history.
Also Read: CSK IPL Auction 2026: Chennai Super Kings full squad after auction and complete players list
Prashant Veer: A young spin-bowling all-rounder
Prashant Veer was born on November 24, 2005, in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. A left-handed batter and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Veer is seen as a promising all-round option for CSK in the future. The franchise has released veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and Prashant could play in his place in IPL 2026.
In T20s, Prashant Veer has impressed with both bat and ball. He has scored 112 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of over 167, showing his ability to score quick runs down the order for Noida Super Kings in the UP T20 League. He has taken 12 wickets in nine T20 matches, maintaining a good economy rate of 6.45.
Though his first-class numbers are modest so far, CSK appear to be backing his skill set, especially given how much they have invested in him at the auction. CSK bought Prashant Veer for a whopping Rs 14.20 crore.
Kartik Sharma: An exciting wicketkeeper-batter
Kartik Sharma, born on April 26, 2006, is even younger at just 19 years of age and went for the same price. He is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter who represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket. Kartik has already built an impressive record across formats, especially in List A and T20 cricket.
In first-class cricket, Kartik has scored 479 runs in 11 innings at an average of 43.54, including three centuries, which shows his ability to play long innings. His List A record is even better, with 445 runs in nine matches at an average of 55.62, including two hundreds and two fifties.
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View AllKartik has also shown his attacking side in T20s. In 12 matches, he has scored 334 runs at a strike rate of nearly 163, hitting 28 sixes.
Kartik may be viewed as the long-term option to replace former CSK captain and keeper MS Dhoni, even though the franchise traded in Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals before the auction.