Who are the uncapped Indian players to watch in IPL 2026 Auction?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prashant Veer is drawing comparisons to Jadeja due to his all-round capabilities.
- Auqib Nabi Dar is a standout performer in domestic cricket with impressive statistics.
- Ashok Sharma leads the wicket charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- Kartik Sharma is recognized for his explosive batting at a young age.
- Tejasvi Dahiya has shown remarkable performances in the Delhi Premier League.
New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) With the IPL 2026 auction just a day away, the spotlight is on uncapped domestic players who are poised to secure lucrative contracts and gain instant fame in the cricketing arena. Following the conclusion of IPL 2025, coaches and scouts from all ten franchises have been actively traveling across the nation, attending various state T20 leagues and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches to uncover hidden talents that could significantly enhance their squads.
Given the financial constraints and the need to fill numerous player slots, uncapped Indian cricketers are anticipated to be highly sought after. IANS examines five players who are likely to generate considerable buzz during the auction bidding process in Abu Dhabi.
Prashant Veer – Base price of Rs 30 lakh
The slow left-arm spin bowling all-rounder from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, has garnered attention for his impressive skills, drawing comparisons to Ravindra Jadeja. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Veer scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 169.69 and took nine wickets at an economy of 6.76, showcasing a standout performance of 3-20 and an unbeaten 40.
His performance in the UP T20 League for Noida Super Kings further highlighted his batting capabilities, accumulating 320 runs and claiming eight wickets across 10 matches. After participating in IPL trials, including those with the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, aimed at filling a Jadeja-sized gap, the 23-year-old all-rounder is anticipated to be on every team's radar.
Auqib Nabi Dar - Base price of Rs 30 lakh
The seam-bowling all-rounder from Jammu & Kashmir has established himself as one of India's most reliable performers in domestic cricket. In the first half of the Ranji Trophy, Nabi secured 29 wickets in five matches at an average of 13.27, including a best of 7-24.
Nabi's form in white-ball cricket has been equally remarkable. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he took 15 wickets across seven matches at an economy of 7.41, attributes that have caught the eye of franchise scouts. He will be hoping for an IPL contract this time after previously serving as a net bowler.
Ashok Sharma - Base price of Rs 30 lakh
The fast bowler has dominated the wicket-taking charts in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 20 wickets in nine matches, including best figures of 4-16, consistently bowling at speeds exceeding 140 kmph. Sharma was a net bowler with the Rajasthan Royals and was part of their squad in IPL 2025 but did not get a game.
He also missed out on playing time with Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023. Nonetheless, his consistent performances in the SMAT and participation in trials with various franchises suggest he will attract aggressive bidding from teams aiming to strengthen their fast-bowling lineup.
Kartik Sharma - Base price of Rs 30 lakh
His signing by JSW, which manages players like Axar Patel and Shafali Verma, generated considerable interest. At just 19, his reputation as a clean striker and lower-order finisher with a knack for hitting big sixes has caught the attention of many. So much so, he was spotted at CSK trials before the auction.
Kartik was Rajasthan's highest run-scorer in the previous edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing 445 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 118.03. He scored 133 runs in five games with a strike rate exceeding 160 in Rajasthan’s group stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, before a finger injury sidelined him in the Super League phase.
Tejasvi Singh Dahiya - Base price of Rs 30 lakh
This wicketkeeper-batter from New Delhi has caught the attention of franchises after an outstanding performance in recent months, which led to him being selected for trials with various teams. He excelled in the 2025 Delhi Premier League (DPL), scoring 339 runs in 10 innings with a strike rate of 190.45, which earned him a place in the Delhi team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
In league stage matches held in Ahmedabad, he boasted a strike rate of 168.65, including an impressive 53 not out off just 19 balls against a formidable Karnataka side. Along with his boundary-clearing capabilities, his ability to excel under pressure in tight situations has further impressed scouts.
Other uncapped players attracting franchise interest include Tushar Raheja, Ravi Singh, Krains Fuletra, Sairaj Patil, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Abhishek Pathak, Mangesh Yadav, Naman Tiwari, Salman Nizar, Yash Raj Punja, Raj Limbani, Sunny Sandhu, Salil Arora, Money Grewal, Sushant Mishra, and Ravi Kumar.