IPL 2026 Auction: Uncapped players to watch

With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, franchises will turn to the domestic circuit for value picks. A strong 2024-25 season across competitions like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and state T20 leagues has pushed several uncapped players into the spotlight. Here are the uncapped players who could generate interest.

Auqib Nabi (Bowler, right-arm fast)
The 29-year-old swing bowler from Jammu & Kashmir has been a consistent domestic pacer. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, he took 29 wickets in five matches at an average of 13.27, including a best of 7/24. He also claimed 15 wickets in seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches. His ability to move the ball and strike early makes him a potential powerplay specialist.

Ashok Sharma (Bowler, right-arm fast)
The 23-year-old pacer from Rajasthan topped the wickets chart in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 20 wickets in 8 matches, including figures of 4/16. He consistently bowls above 140 km/h and has had trials with multiple IPL franchises. Previously a net bowler and squad member for Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, his recent form is likely to attract bids.

Kartik Sharma (Wicketkeeper-batter, right-handed)
The 19-year-old from Rajasthan scored a century on his Ranji Trophy debut. He was Rajasthan's highest run-getter in the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy with 445 runs at a strike rate of 118.03. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he has 334 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 162.92.

Tushara Raheja (Wicketkeeper, left-handed batter)
A hard-hitting opener, Raheja made his name in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). In TNPL 2025, he scored 488 runs at an average of 61 and a strike rate of 185.55, including a match-winning 77 in the final. He has already had IPL trials and offers explosive starts along with wicketkeeping.

Abhishek Pathak (Wicketkeeper-batter, right-handed)
The 28-year-old opener impressed in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League 2025, scoring 266 runs in 6 innings at a strike rate close to 250, including a century and a fifty. While his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy form has been modest, his striking ability in state leagues keeps him on the radar.

Mangesh Yadav (All-rounder, left-handed bat, left-arm fast)
The 23-year-old all-rounder took 14 wickets in 6 matches in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League 2025 at an average of 12, including three four-wicket hauls. His left-arm pace offers valuable variation, making him a potential pick despite not yet making the state team.

Naman Tiwari (Bowler, left-arm fast)
The left-arm pacer from Lucknow represented India at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. In the UPT20 season, he was the third-highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets from ten matches. Capable of touching 140 km/h, his combination of speed, age, and recent T20 returns makes him an attractive prospect. He has also been a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals.

Prashant Veer (All-rounder, left-handed bat, slow left-arm)
An economical left-arm spinner who can contribute with the bat, Veer scored 320 runs and took 8 wickets in 10 UPT20 matches, striking at 155.34. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 112 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 169.69. His all-round flexibility and IPL trials have drawn franchise interest.

Salman Nizar (Left-handed batter, off-break)
Nizar scored 628 runs in Kerala's Ranji Trophy campaign. In the Kerala Cricket League, he finished with an average of 98.67 and a strike rate of 193.46, including a notable display of power-hitting. While his recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy returns were modest, his clean ball-striking over the past year keeps him in contention.

Yash Raj Punja (Bowler, leg-spin)
A tall leg-spinner, Punja was a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals in 2024. In the Maharaja Trophy, he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets from 10 games at an average of 12.48. His attributes and recent performance are likely to attract franchise attention.

Other notable players:

• Macneil Noronha (spin-bowling all-rounder)
• Money Grewal (fast bowler)
• Arpit Rana (spin-bowling all-rounder)
• Prithviraj Yarra (fast bowler)
• Akhil Scaria (pace-bowling all-rounder)
• Raj Limbani (fast bowler)
• Sunny Sandhu (fast-bowling all-rounder)