Auqib Nabi, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma: Meet uncapped crorepatis of IPL 2026 auction

New Delhi: With the second-highest purse of Rs 43.40 crore at the IPL mini-auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) splurged big on two Indian uncapped players in Abu Dhabi to fill their slots. With 9 remaining slots to fill, CSK, which was involved in bidding war for Cameron Green, went in for youngsters Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma to fill their slots.

Both the players were roped in for an equivalent amount of Rs 14.20 crore each as the Super Kings spend a total of 28.40 crore out of their overall amount to acquire their services. After Prashant became the richest Indian player sold at the auction, Kartik joined him soon for an equal amount becoming the joint-richest Indian player at the 2026 edition.

Another uncapped name which stole the limelight at the much-awaited event was Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar, who was bought by the Delhi Capitals (DC) at a whopping price of Rs 8.4 crore. Dar became the costliest buy for Delhi, which was engaged in a bidding battle with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) over the player. SRH decided to opt out of the battle after Rs 7.40 crore bid.

Auqib Nabi

Auqib Nabi hails from the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir and happens to be the third pacer from the place after Umran Malik and Yudhvir Singh Charak to feature in the cash-rich league. After the right-arm medium pacer made his List A debut for J & K in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, an year later, he made his T20 debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019.

Based on his performances, he made his first-class debut in Ranji Trophy in 2020 and rose to prominence with his special five-wicket haul in game against Odisha. In October 2024, he claimed his best figures of 5 for 29 in first-class cricket against Services which was a turning point in his career. In the 2024-25 Ranji season, he claimed a total of 44 wickets which was the second-best in the edition. Nabi achieved hos highest score and best bowling figures in October 2025, when he made 55 and claimed 3 for 29 and 7 for 24.

Prashant Veer

Prashant Veer is a 20-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh who got first spotted while playing for Noida Super Kings in the UP T20 League. His regular performances in the league has been the stepping stone in his journey of getting a big IPL deal. From the Noida league, he impressed everyone at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year with flawless performances.

In the domestic tournament, he excelled by signing off with 112 runs at an impressive strike rate of 170 and also claimed nine wickets with an economy rate of just 6.76. During his domestic tenure this season, he played six matches in just seven days which also involved travelling between two cities which proved to be a testament to his patience and fitness levels.

Kartik Sharma

19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan Kartik Sharma is the most flamboyant of all the three young uncapped giants picked at the auction on Tuesday. Kartik, who is known for his power-packed finishing abilities, represented Rajasthan at the under-14 level, slowly progressing to the under-16 level and making inroads in the under-19 level.

Calling Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni his inspiration, Kartik has notched up 334 runs in 12 T20 games at an impressive strike rate of 164. A prominent six-hitter, he has smacked a total of 28 maximums becoming most suitable for any IPL franchise and the format in itself. Kartik made a great start to first-class cricket with a 113-run hundred on his Ranji Trophy debut against Uttarakhand last season. Meanwhile in the List A cricket, he has been a topper for Rajasthan with 445 runs in nine matches, proving his ability as a batter and wicketkeeper.