Following the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi—highlighted by new overseas salary caps—Chennai Super Kings splashed Rs 14.2 crore each on uncapped talents Rajasthan's Kartik Sharma and Uttar Pradesh's Prashant Veer, setting joint-highest IPL records for such players.
The IPL 2026 mini-auction, held amid buzz over BCCI's new Rs 18 crore cap on overseas players and calls to prioritize domestic talent, saw Chennai Super Kings break from tradition by investing heavily in youth. They signed Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma and Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer for Rs 14.20 crore apiece—the joint-most expensive uncapped buys in IPL history. Both will feature under MS Dhoni in IPL 2026.
Other franchises followed suit, with Delhi Capitals grabbing Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for Rs 8.4 crore. Notably, 20-year-old leg-spinner Izaz Sawariya, with no domestic experience but viral Instagram bowling clips, entered the fray but went unsold.
Domestic T20 leagues like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy continue to scout IPL prospects, broadening access but raising concerns over Test cricket's decline, as seen in India's recent home series losses.
Previous uncapped benchmarks: Avesh Khan (Rs 10 crore, Lucknow Super Giants, 2022) and Krishnappa Gowtham (Rs 10 crore, Chennai Super Kings, 2021).
