Uncapped Indian players stole the spotlight at the IPL 2026 mini auction on Tuesday, as several relatively unknown names sparked intense bidding wars. Talent emerging from domestic circuits and state leagues was clearly in higher demand than established Indian stars or overseas players. Here’s a closer look at the standout uncapped Indian signings from the auction.
Prashant Veer – CSK, INR 14.2 crore
From representing Noida Super Kings in the UPT20 League to being seen as a potential long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja at Chennai Super Kings, Prashant Veer’s rise has been remarkable. At just 20, his journey feels straight out of a dream. Known as “Miller” in age-group cricket for his six-hitting prowess, he is now among the highest-paid uncapped Indian players in IPL history.
Out of nowhere, Veer lit up the UPT20 by smashing 320 runs, striking at 155, along with grabbing eight wickets. That spark pushed him straight into top-level cricket, balancing acts between Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy outings and Under-23 fixtures – six matches packed into seven days shuttling between Kolkata and Mumbai – until the major break finally came.
Salil Arora joins SRH for INR 1.50 crore
Young Salil Arora turns heads at 23, stepping into Punjab’s line of hard-hitting T20 talents – names such as Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh now share space with his. Though fresh on the scene, he carries a spark seen before in others who swung big for the state. His timing feels natural, not forced like some young players trying too much. While still early, glimpses suggest more than just promise. Not every youngster finds rhythm so fast. Yet here he stands, calm amid noise, making room for himself beside known names.
Out of nowhere, Arora swings hard from every corner of the field, backed by a calm head at the crease. With nearly two hundred on the meter, his 358 runs came fast through eight knocks in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – 28 big hits clearing the rope. Sunrisers Hyderabad might find just what they need in his fearless swing. Behind the stumps, he stands ready too, adding quiet value when called upon.
Mangesh Yadav – RCB, INR 5.20 crore
Speeding past 140 kph time after time, the 24-year-old left-armer tore through lineups in the MP T20 League. With Gwalior Cheetahs relying on him, Mangesh Yadav claimed 14 wickets – more than any other bowler that season. His sharp impact didn’t go unnoticed; he walked away with the Emerging Player title. A breakout performance, built on pace and persistence.
A swift 28 from just 12 deliveries stood out during his stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he also claimed two wickets across three games. Though not dominant, his performances caught the eye of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who had been watching quietly. Trials followed, then a contract far beyond what many predicted – skyrocketing past his starting value of INR 30 lakh. With Yash Dayal holding the primary role, he now steps into a supporting spot within the squad.
Tejasvi Dahiya – KKR, INR 3 crore
Young Tejasvi Dahiha goes by two names – Tejasvi Singh sticks on official forms. Power flows through his bat, especially when he swings for sixes. At 23, he steps into Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad. Their hunt for Kartik ended empty-handed, so they turned elsewhere.
Thirty three nine runs came in ten turns with a fast pace of nearly 190 in the 2025 Delhi Premier League, smashing 29 big hits – just behind Nitish Rana. Moving on to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, fire stayed lit, one knock burning bright: 53 under twenty deliveries versus Karnataka. That burst stood out, clocking in at almost 279 per hundred balls – a mark topped only by Rishabh Pant for Delhi batters. Few have hit harder when wearing the capital’s colours, yet names like Rana still edge ahead. A flash of power here, another explosion there – he kept showing up where speed matters most. Not every swing counted, but enough did to leave crowds leaning forward. Numbers like those do not lie, though they rarely tell the whole story either. What mattered was how often he pulled lightning down into his hands. Others may last longer, build slower – but few ignite quite so suddenly. Records list him near the top, just beneath giants who once swung just as wildly.
Dahiya idolises MS Dhoni and trains under Sanjay Bharadwaj.
Kartik Sharma – CSK, INR 14.2 crore
Kartik Sharma, born in Bharatropur, started turning heads when he cracked big hits during his debut season at the Rajasthan Premier League back in 2023. By the next auction cycle, just twenty-four months on, bidding heated up – no fewer than five teams wanted him on their roster.
Out of nowhere, Chennai Super Kings spent 14.2 crore to bring him in, the exact amount they once paid for Prashant Veer. Hitting sixes seems natural to Kartik – he cleared the ropes 28 times across only 11 T20 knocks. His bat swings fast, proven by a strike rate sitting at 162.92. Numbers aside, he led everyone in maximums during early Ranji matches, then did it again in the Vijay Hazare competition.
After working alongside the CSK players before, he showed he could send balls soaring over the fence even when facing seasoned bowlers. Dealing with fast deliveries came naturally, just like adjusting to slower spinning ones.
Naman Tiwari – LSG, INR 1 crore
Only sixteen when he grabbed attention by claiming victory in a pace hunt contest. Moving forward, his path climbed quietly but firmly into view as a left-handed bowler who swings the ball sharply inward.
A spotlight found him at the Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa; soon after, stepping into senior cricket felt natural. Ten games in the UPT20 brought nineteen dismissals – his name rose, landing just below the top two wicket-takers. Time spent hurling balls as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals sharpened his rhythm; now, moving to Lucknow Super Giants, belief runs deeper in his stride.
Auqib Nabi – DC, INR 8.40 crore
Auqib Nabi, sometimes called Auqib Dar, fetched the highest price among Indian bowlers – whether capped or not – in the auction. Delhi Capitals secured him for 8.40 crore rupees. At age twenty-nine, he mainly swings the ball but lately has worked hard on finishing spells tightly.
Finding less help from the pitch, Nabi sticks to control and precision instead. Hitting down the order, he once made 32 from 21 deliveries for Jammu & Kashmir, leading their innings that day.
Mukul Choudhary – LSG, INR 2.60 crore
Mukul Choudhary’s journey is one of adaptability. Originally a fast bowler, he turned into a wicketkeeper due to team requirements during an academy match—and has since embraced the role fully.
After a modest start with Rajasthan, where he played only two matches, Choudhary bounced back strongly in the Under-23 circuit. He amassed 617 runs at an astonishing average of 102.83, finishing as the leading six-hitter of the tournament. His performances earned him a recall to the Rajasthan squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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