From left, this combination of images shows cricketers Prashant Veer, Auqib Nabi Dar and Kartik Sharma. (PTI) The IPL 2026 player auction began with limited action in the uncapped category before Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma were signed by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore each, setting a new record for uncapped players.The uncapped batters category opened the auction, but all six players listed were unsold. The group included Aarya Desai, Yash Dhull, Abhinav Manohar, Anmolpreet Singh, Atharva Taide and Abhinav Tejrana.
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Another big development came with Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Auqib Dar bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.4 crore. Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and SunRisers Hyderabad to secure the player.Prashant Veer followed, several teams entered the bidding process before Chennai Super Kings secured him. Along with Kartik Sharma, Veer became the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history at the mini-auction for the 2026 season held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.Both players entered the auction at a base price of Rs 30 crore, with CSK paying Rs 14.20 crore each. Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer’s price rose significantly because CSK competed with Rajasthan Royals at the start of the bidding process and SunRisers Hyderabad later to sign the 20-year-old left-arm spinner and middle-order batter.Veer is set to make his IPL debut. He came into limelight after playing for Noida Super Kings in the UP T20 League and has been playing domestic cricket ever since. In 12 T20 matches, he scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 167.16 and took 12 wickets in nine innings at an economy rate of 6.45. His performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy added to his profile, with CSK identifying him as a long-term option in the squad.Soon after, CSK signed Rajasthan batter Kartik Sharma for the same amount of Rs 14.20 crore after bids involving Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders.Kartik scored 334 runs in 12 T20 matches in a knock of 164, including 28 sixes, and appeared among the top six hitters in the Ranji Trophy. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy league stage, he scored 133 runs in five matches at a strike rate of over 160. He maintained a strike rate of over 160 throughout his 12-match T20 career.Top 5 Uncapped Indian Players in IPL 2026 AuctionPlayerBasic price Sold onPrashant VeerRs 30 crores 14.2 crores (CSK) Kartik SharmaRs 30 crores 14.2 crores (CSK) Auqib DarRs 30 crores 8.4 crores (DC) Mangesh YadavRs 30 crores (30 crores) 3 crore (KKR)
