&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "HIGHLIGHTS | IPL 2026 auction - Meet top 5 most expensive Indian players")
The IPL 2026 mini auction came to an end at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with franchises focusing heavily on building a strong Indian core for the new season. A total of 369 players, including 244 Indians, were part of the auction, but only 77 slots were available, which led to intense bidding. Teams did not hesitate to spend big on Indian players who can make an immediate impact, especially uncapped talents with high potential. Chennai Super Kings duo Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma emerged as the joint-most expensive Indian buys of the IPL 2026 mini auction, with both players being picked up for INR 14.2 crore each. Here are the five most expensive Indian players purchased at the IPL 2026 mini auction.
Top 5 most expensive Indian players in IPL auctions
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Kartik Sharma Photograph: (Special Arrangement)
- Kartik Sharma: Rajasthan’s big-hitting uncapped star Kartik Sharma created a frenzy at the IPL 2026 mini auction, with CSK and KKR locked in a bidding war. Known for his 28 sixes in 12 T20s and powerful middle-order hitting, Kartik was finally snapped up by Chennai Super Kings for INR 14.2 crore.
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Prashant Veer Photograph: (Special Arrangement)
2. Prashant Veer: Prashant Veer has been secured by Chennai Super Kings for INR 14.2 crore after a heated bidding war. The 20-year-old left-arm spinner has risen quickly through the ranks, starting with Noida Super Kings in the UP T20 League. He impressed across six matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Uttar Pradesh Under-23 fixtures, scoring 112 runs at a strike rate of 170 and taking nine wickets at an economy of 6.76. CSK saw him as a long-term replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, and his consistent performances made him a hot purchase in the IPL auction.
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Auqib Nabi Dar Photograph: (AFP)
3. Auqib Nabi Dar: Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi sparked a fierce bidding war after Delhi Capitals opened at INR 30 lakh, with RR, RCB and SRH joining in quickly. The price soared past INR 7 crore before DC, who started the bidding, sealed the deal at INR 8.4 crore for the Ranji Trophy standout.
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Ravi Bishnoi Photograph: (AFP)
4. Ravi Bishnoi: A tense three-way bidding war saw RR, CSK and SRH lock horns for Ravi Bishnoi, with the price steadily climbing past INR 6 crore. In the end, Rajasthan Royals held their nerve and secured the leg-spinner for INR 7.2 crore.
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Venkatesh Iyer Photograph: (AFP)
5. Venkatesh Iyer: Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer triggered a fierce bidding war involving LSG, GT, RCB and KKR after entering the auction at a base price of INR 2 crore. RCB had the final say, securing the all-rounder for INR 7 crore.
