Two uncapped Indian cricketers rewrote IPL auction history on Tuesday as Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma attracted record-breaking bids at the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi. Chennai Super Kings secured both players for Rs 14.2 crore each, making them the most expensive uncapped Indians ever signed in the league.

The previous benchmark for an uncapped Indian player stood at Rs 10 crore, a record set in 2022. That mark was comfortably surpassed as franchises went all out for young domestic talent during the auction.

Record-breaking bids for young domestic talent

Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin allrounder from Uttar Pradesh, entered the auction with a base price of Rs 30 lakh. His bidding quickly escalated following interest from multiple franchises before Chennai Super Kings closed the deal at Rs 14.2 crore. Veer has featured in nine domestic T20 matches and came into focus after strong performances in the UP T20 League, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Under-23 competitions, which also earned him trials with the franchise.

Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, matched Veer’s price later in the auction. Also listed at a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Kartik witnessed intense bidding before Chennai Super Kings once again emerged successful. Known for his power-hitting ability in the lower order, Kartik has scored 334 runs in 12 T20 matches at a strike rate of 164, including 28 sixes.

Other uncapped players draw big interest

The strong demand for uncapped Indians was not limited to Veer and Kartik. Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi was signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.4 crore after competition from several teams. Nabi, 29, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and has taken 15 wickets in seven matches in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at an economy rate below eight.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru picked up 23-year-old pace allrounder Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.2 crore. Yadav has limited T20 experience but impressed scouts during the Madhya Pradesh Premier League.

Several other uncapped players also crossed or touched the Rs 1 crore mark, underlining the growing focus on domestic depth at the IPL auctions.

Focus on building a strong local core

Speaking after the auction, the Chennai Super Kings camp highlighted the emphasis on identifying skill-specific players and investing in long-term potential. The franchise pointed to extensive scouting across domestic tournaments and the need to adapt team strategies based on the evolving nature of the game.

The IPL 2026 auction marked a significant moment for uncapped Indian players, with franchises showing willingness to invest heavily in emerging talent alongside established names.

Virat Kohli has broken his silence after a deadly stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru cast a dark shadow over Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations. At least 11 people lost their lives and 33 others were injured when a massive crowd surged to get a glimpse of the players during the event. While the team’s felicitation went on as scheduled inside the stadium, it was the lack of immediate response that has since drawn widespread public criticism.

“Deeply saddened,” Kohli offers condolences

Amid growing backlash on social media and beyond, Kohli issued a heartfelt message expressing sorrow over the loss of lives. “Deeply saddened by the tragic incident outside the stadium. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected,” he wrote.

However, many questioned the timing of this response, asking why the ceremony wasn’t called off sooner. The delay in acknowledging the situation led to allegations of insensitivity from some fans and observers.

Atul Wassan defends Kohli, points at franchise and politicians

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan defended Kohli, strongly suggesting that the RCB star would not have been aware of the tragedy unfolding outside while the celebrations continued.

“I cannot believe in a million years that Virat Kohli knew that people were dying outside and the felicitation was going inside,” Wassan remarked. He attributed possible awareness to corporate and political figures present at the event, asserting that had Kohli known, “he would have immediately walked out.”

RCB management under scanner

The incident has also put RCB’s franchise management under scrutiny for allegedly not halting the event once the magnitude of the stampede became known. Many believe that the lack of communication between the ground and event organisers contributed to the tone-deaf continuation of celebrations.

AB de Villiers joins in offering support

Former RCB batter and South African cricketer AB de Villiers also posted a message of support, saying, “My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragic events at the Chinnaswamy Stadium today.”

CM confirms death toll and support measures

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the deaths and promised free treatment for the injured. He called the stampede a “heart-wrenching” incident and said that measures would be taken to ensure such a tragedy does not repeat.

Punjab Kings’ dream run in the Indian Premier League 2025 came to a heartbreaking halt in the final, where they suffered a narrow six-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite a spirited campaign that saw them reach the final for the first time since 2014, captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the pain of the loss while expressing pride in his team’s fearless performance throughout the tournament.

Speaking after the final, Iyer admitted the moment that turned the tide was Krunal Pandya’s impactful bowling spell, which disrupted Punjab’s chase of 191. The side eventually ended at 184/7 in their 20 overs, falling agonizingly short of their maiden IPL title.

Krunal’s breakthrough spell changes momentum

“Honestly, I’m dejected,” said Iyer, reflecting on the narrow defeat. “But the way our players responded throughout the season was phenomenal. Credit to the entire team, support staff, and management. Krunal Pandya’s spell was crucial. His experience showed, and I believe that was the turning point.”

The 2025 campaign marked Punjab Kings’ only third-ever playoff appearance and their second final in IPL history. Iyer, who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to the championship in 2024 and previously guided Delhi Daredevils to a final, became the first-ever captain to take three different franchises to the tournament finale.

Iyer praises youngsters and sets sights on 2026

Despite his personal disappointment with the bat — scoring only 1 run in the final — Iyer was full of praise for his team’s younger players. “There are many youngsters who were playing their first IPL season and they showed real courage,” he said. “Their belief that we could win every game brought us this far. I’m confident we’ll come back next season and lift the trophy.”

One of the highlights of Punjab’s campaign was Iyer’s match-winning 87 in Qualifier 2, which eliminated Mumbai Indians and booked their spot in the final. But on the decisive night, it was Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 and Josh Inglis’ quickfire 39 that kept PBKS in the hunt until the very end.

As Punjab Kings look ahead to IPL 2026, the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and the emergence of new talents promise another competitive season.