IPL 2026 Auction: Fans erupt as CSK signs Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma at record prices; making them joint most expensive uncapped players


The IPL 2026 mini-auction witnessed an unprecedented surge in the value of domestic Indian talent, culminating in a historic moment where two uncapped players were bought by the same franchise for the same record-breaking price.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma of Rajasthan became the second player in the auction to be purchased for a mammoth ₹14.20 crore by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), joining all-rounder Prashant Veer at the pinnacle of the uncapped player salary list. Starting from a base price of ₹30 lakh, the 19-year-old sparked a prolonged bidding war, primarily with Kolkata Knight Riders, before Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s late challenge was overcome by CSK, who showed a clear, aggressive strategy to build their Indian core.

Prashant Veer becomes most expensive uncapped IPL player

The bidding for Prashant was one of the most unexpected and explosive moments of the IPL 2026 auction, immediately grabbing attention as multiple teams recognized his potential. The fierce bidding started low, with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) initially raising the paddle.

However, the real fireworks began when CSK entered the race, closely followed by Rajasthan Royals (RR), pushing the bid past the ₹6 crore mark. The battle then became a high-octane war of attrition between CSK and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Both franchises were relentless, driving the price past the previous uncapped record of ₹10 crore (held by Avesh Khan in 2022) and into the territory of established international players.

CSK and SRH exchanged bids over 40 times, with the price increasing ₹20 lakh at a time. The bid crossed ₹10 crore, then ₹12 crore, and finally ₹14 crore. SRH made the penultimate bid of ₹14.00 crore, but CSK responded with the final, successful bid of ₹14.20 crore, making Prashant Veer the most expensive uncapped player ever sold in an IPL auction.

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Fans go wild as Cameron Green becomes the most expensive overseas player in league’s history

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) buys potential successor to Ravindra Jadeja

Chennai’s aggressive pursuit of Prashant for ₹14.20 crore is a clear strategic move to fill the void created by the departure of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the previous retention window. Prashant Veer’s profile perfectly fits the “next Jadeja” template for the franchise: a left-handed bat who can stabilize the middle-to-lower order and a left-arm orthodox spinner capable of delivering crucial middle-overs breakthroughs at the spin-friendly Chepauk stadium. His recent domestic form, which catapulted him into the auction spotlight, justified CSK’s massive investment.

His key performances highlighted his high-impact potential:

  • Strikes at 167 in T20s, confirming his ability to provide explosive finishing power.
  • He scored 320 runs and took 8 wickets across 10  matches in the UPT20 League 2025, demonstrating his genuine all-round utility.
  • He offers flexibility through the middle overs, which is exactly what CSK requires to maintain momentum after the powerplay.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

The record-breaking battle for Kartik Sharma to become joint most expensive uncapped player

The bidding for the uncapped wicketkeeper-batter, Kartik , was one of the most extended and aggressive duels of the IPL 2026 auction, concluding with him being secured by the Chennai for a historic ₹14.20 crore, tying the record for the most expensive uncapped player ever. Starting from his modest base price of ₹30 lakh, the 19-year-old immediately attracted early interest from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). LSG eventually backed out at ₹2.60 crore, but KKR, who had already made record buys earlier in the auction—, hen went head-to-head with CSK.

This rivalry turned into a war of attrition, with both franchises relentlessly pushing the price up ₹20 lakh at a time. The bid quickly soared past the ₹5 crore mark and continued its upward trajectory, crossing the significant ₹10 crore threshold and then reaching ₹12.80 crore, with KKR still challenging CSK. In a late, decisive move, SRH entered the fray, showing their intent by driving the price to ₹14.00 crore. However, CSK were determined to land the high-impact WK-batter, placing the final, winning bid of ₹14.20 crore. This spectacular acquisition showcased CSK’s firm commitment to investing heavily in domestic talent, viewing Kartik Sharma as a vital, long-term asset to fortify their batting and wicketkeeping options.

The significance of the ₹14.20 crore bid for Kartik Sharma

The successful bid for Kartik at ₹14.20 crore cemented the Chennai Super Kings’ aggressive auction strategy focused on securing top-tier Indian talent for the future.

  • Joint Uncapped Record: By matching the price paid for Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma became the joint most expensive uncapped player in IPL history, a massive endorsement of his raw talent and proven domestic T20 strike rate of 167.
  • Wicketkeeper-Batter Premium: His ability to keep wickets while providing explosive middle-order batting (evident from his 334 runs in 11 SMAT innings) made him a two-in-one package. This versatility is highly valued by IPL franchises looking to maximize their Indian slots.
  • CSK’s Future Core: The relentless bidding against KKR and SRH highlights that CSK viewed Kartik as a crucial part of their long-term plans, especially in the post-Dhoni era, where they require a reliable, high-impact domestic WK-Batter.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Fans cheer as KKR’s late move bags Matheesha Pathirana after an intense bidding war between LSG and DC




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