The IPL 2026 auction witnessed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Indian Premier League history as two previously uncapped domestic players — Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma — became the most expensive uncapped recruits ever recorded, both fetching ₹14.20 crore deals at the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) bidding table. Their eye‑popping price tags eclipsed past benchmarks and underscored the rapid rise in market value for promising uncapped talent as franchises increasingly seek high‑upside players to deepen their squads and unearth future stars.
Prashant Veer, a 20‑year‑old left‑arm spin all‑rounder from Uttar Pradesh, emerged as one of the standout performers in domestic T20 cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and local leagues. Teams were impressed by his bowling prowess and lower‑order batting potential, triggering a fierce bidding war that saw CSK ultimately secure his services for ₹14.20 crore — an investment that now places him at the top of the uncapped earnings chart.
Almost immediately after Veer’s record bid, CSK made another statement by acquiring Kartik Sharma, a young wicketkeeper‑batter from Rajasthan, for the exact same amount. Sharma’s aggressive batting style and ability to finish matches made him a coveted asset, and franchises were keen to compete for his signature. Despite the presence of experienced keepers in CSK’s roster, the franchise reportedly decided his long‑term upside justified the major outlay, as per Indian reports.
Together, these two signings represent a sea change in how IPL teams value emerging talent. In previous seasons, uncapped players rarely commanded such astronomical bids, but the willingness of teams like CSK to bet big on youth signals a broader evolution in squad‑building philosophy across the league.
The Indian Express
Historical Perspective: Before the 2026 Auction
Before the 2026 auction rewrote the record books, the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history was Avesh Khan, who was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for ₹10 crore at the 2022 auction. Avesh’s pace and wicket‑taking ability had drawn attention in domestic tournaments, and his substantial price reflected his potential impact in franchise cricket.
Prior to Avesh’s record, Krishnappa Gowtham held the benchmark with a ₹9.25 crore deal at the 2021 auction, when Chennai Super Kings snapped up the all‑rounder after an impressive domestic career. Gowtham’s high bid was seen as a bold move at the time, highlighting how franchises were beginning to pay closer attention to uncapped performers.
Meanwhile, power hitter Shahrukh Khan also made a splash in the 2022 auction, selling for ₹9 crore to the Punjab Kings, further showing that uncapped players with specialized T20 skills could attract significant investment.
Going further back, uncapped players traditionally fetched more modest sums, with top bids barely crossing the multi‑crore mark. Players like Karn Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Pawan Negi were notable uncapped bargains in earlier auctions but pale in comparison to the sums being discussed in the 2026 player market.
The Market Evolution
Experts believe the rise in uncapped player prices — culminating in Veer and Sharma’s equal ₹14.20 crore deals — reflects a broader shift in IPL auction strategy. With elite overseas stars still commanding top dollar, franchises are increasingly looking to uncapped Indian players to fulfill crucial roster roles at relatively lower long‑term cost, as well as to comply with domestic player quotas. Younger players also offer greater flexibility and longer-term franchise control as they develop.
The trend has seen uncapped players become economic assets rather than just squad extras. As domestic tournaments and scouting networks have improved, franchises now have much more data to justify large investments in promising talent, even without international exposure.
The prominence of Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma atop the uncapped earnings list marks a milestone for IPL auctions, demonstrating that remarkable talent can now command prices that rival even some established international stars. As future auctions approach, it remains to be seen whether this record will be broken again, but these historic bids have undoubtedly set a new precedent for how uncapped talent is valued in the world’s richest T20 league.
