The IPL 2026 auction once again underlined how aggressively franchises are willing to invest in domestic potential, with uncapped players drawing big bids. Among the standout names were Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, who emerged as the joint costliest uncapped buys, while Auqib Nabi's sustained domestic dominance earned him a significant payday as well. Here is a closer look at the players who drove those bidding wars.

Kartik Sharma

Age: 19

Role: Wicketkeeper batter, right-handed bat, middle order

From: Rajasthan

Bought by: Chennai Super Kings for INR 14.2 Crore

A young batter from Rajasthan, 19-year-old Kartik Sharma became the joint-highest uncapped buy along with Prashant Veer. With a century on debut in the Ranji Trophy against Uttarakhand, Kartik stormed into the scheme of things for Rajasthan and has since been a consistent performer for the team.

Kartik was Rajasthan's highest run-getter in the previous edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy with 445 runs in eight innings, striking at 118.03. A middle-order batter who has played regularly at No.4 for Rajasthan, he has 334 runs so far in 11 innings across two seasons of SMAT, striking at 162.92. He had also impressed in a stint in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 in 2024, scoring 457 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 168.01.

Prashant Veer

Age: 20

Role: All-rounder, left-handed bat, slow left-arm, lower-middle order striker

From: Uttar Pradesh

Bought by: Chennai Super Kings for INR 14.2 Crore

An economical left-arm spinner who can also contribute reliably in the middle order, Prashant Veer is a promising all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh. He enjoyed a strong UPT20 season this year, scoring 320 runs and picking up eight wickets across 10 matches. The standout feature of his batting was the tempo. He struck at 155.34 in the UPT20 and followed that up with 112 runs in five Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy innings at a strike rate of 169.69.

Comfortable scoring all around the ground off a stable base, Veer offers flexibility through the middle overs. With his ability to strike big with the bat while offering control with the ball, Veer fits the kind of flexible squad role franchises look for.

Auqib Nabi

Age: 29

Role: Bowler, right-arm fast, new-ball bowler

From: Jammu and Kashmir

Bought by: Delhi Capitals for INR 8.4 Crore

Auqib Nabi, the 29-year-old right-arm swing bowler from Jammu & Kashmir, has emerged as one of India's most consistent domestic pacers. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, he took 29 wickets in five matches at an average of 13.27, including a best haul of 7/24, and was the second-highest wicket-taker among all bowlers early in the season.

Nabi's ability to move the ball both ways and bowl with precision - coupled with multiple five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket, including four in four balls in the Duleep Trophy, and 15 wickets in seven matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - caught IPL scouts' attention. Nabi's accuracy and knack for early strikes make him a potential powerplay specialist. He has 17 wickets at an average of 14.06 and an economy of 5.69 bowling in the powerplay, while he's also an option for the death, having bagged 14 wickets at 22.71, with an economy of 10.2.

Tejasvi Dahiya

Age: 23

Role: Wicketkeeper, right-handed bat, middle-order dasher

From: Delhi

Bought by: Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3 Crore

A 23-year-old wicketkeeper from Delhi, Tejasvi Dahiya is a capable striker who bats in the middle order. He made a mark in this year's Delhi Premier League, where he scored 339 runs at an average of 48.43 and a strike rate of 190.45. More impressively, he struck 29 sixes across 10 innings, the second most in the tournament behind Nitish Rana's tally of 34. He made his T20 debut for Delhi earlier this year in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and struck his maiden fifty against Karnataka in a winning effort.