 "IPL 2026 auction: Uncapped stars steal the show in Abu Dhabi with CSK leading the trend")
The IPL 2026 mini auction clearly showed a big shift in team thinking, with uncapped Indian players becoming the most in-demand names. Franchises were ready to spend huge amounts of money on young domestic talents, showing that teams are now looking more at the future rather than just established stars.
The biggest headlines were made by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who broke records by buying two uncapped players - Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma - for Rs 14.20 crore each. The two youngsters became the joint most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. CSK’s aggressive bidding highlighted their plan to invest in young Indian talent who can deliver for them in the coming years.
Delhi Capitals also joined the trend by spending big on Auqib Dar, an uncapped fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir. DC paid Rs 8.4 crore for the right-arm medium pacer, who impressed with his performances in domestic cricket, especially in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy.
IPL teams invest big on uncapped talents
Other franchises also backed uncapped players with significant investments. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent Rs 3 crore on Tejasvi Singh, while Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) showed strong interest in uncapped talent as well, securing Akshat Raghuwanshi for Rs 2.2 crore, along with Mukul Choudhary for Rs 2.6 crore and Naman Tiwari for Rs 1 crore.
CSK picked up Aman Khan for Rs 40 lakh, while Gujarat Titans (GT) signed Ashok Sharma for Rs 90 lakh. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) strengthened their depth by buying Daksh Kamra, Sarthak Ranjan, Prashant Solanki, and Kartik Tyagi for Rs 30 lakh each.
Mumbai Indians (MI) continued their tradition of backing youngsters by adding Atharva Ankolekar, Mohammad Izhar, and Danish Malewar for Rs 30 lakh each. Rajasthan Royals (RR) were among the busiest teams in the uncapped market, signing Ravi Singh for Rs 95 lakh, Sushant Mishra for Rs 90 lakh, and also adding Vignesh Puthur and Yash Raj Punja for Rs 30 lakh each.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a major statement by spending Rs 5.20 crore on uncapped player Mangesh Yadav, while also picking up Satvik Deswal for Rs 30 lakh. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also invested in multiple uncapped players, including Krains Fuletra, Praful Hinge, Amit Kumar, Onkar Tarmale, Sakib Hussain and Shivang Kumar, all picked up at their base price of Rs 30 lakh.
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View AllThe demand for uncapped players at the IPL 2026 auction shows a clear change in strategy. The mini auction proved that raw talent and domestic performances are now being rewarded like never before.
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