Abu Dhabi, December 16: The IPL 2026 auction witnessed a historic moment as uncapped youngsters Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma became the joint most expensive uncapped Indian players ever. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured both players for a staggering ₹14.2 crore each, rewriting auction records and underlining the growing value of domestic talent in the league.
Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, attracted intense bidding after impressive performances in domestic T20 tournaments. Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, also drew strong interest for his explosive finishing ability and high strike rate, eventually prompting CSK to make aggressive bids for both players despite their modest base prices of ₹30 lakh.
The auction also proved rewarding for other uncapped Indian players. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi was picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹8.4 crore, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed pace all-rounder Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.2 crore. Several young wicketkeepers, batters and fast bowlers crossed the ₹1 crore mark, reflecting franchises’ growing focus on scouting emerging domestic talent.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming highlighted the franchise’s shift in approach, stressing the importance of building a strong Indian core for both present success and future planning. The record-breaking bids at the IPL 2026 auction underline how domestic performances are increasingly shaping team strategies, while also turning the spotlight on young players whose careers and lives have been transformed overnight.
