On the eve of the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, mid-day enlists five of the 16 capped India players who are most likely to attract big bucks
Venkatesh Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep and Ravi Bishnoi
Venkatesh Iyer
Base price: Rs 2cr
After being purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for R23.75 crore in the previous auction, Iyer was released by the franchise following a poor season. However, the Madhya Pradesh batter boasts strong stats in the tournament except last year. In 2024, when KKR lifted the trophy, Iyer, 30, scored 370 runs from 15 matches at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.80. In 2023, he made 404 runs in 14 games, striking at 145.85. Iyer may fetch a good sum if the 2025 season is seen as an anomaly.
Prithvi Shaw
Base price: Rs 75l
The 26-year-old opener went unsold last year, but has found new form in 2025. Shaw has scored heavily since switching from Mumbai to Maharashtra, including a double century (222 off just 156 balls) against Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy. Shaw scored 74 against Punjab and 71 against Karnataka. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shaw scored 66 off 36 balls for Maharashtra against Hyderabad and 66 off 30 balls against Bihar, showing he can do it in T20s.
Sarfaraz Khan
Base price: Rs 75l
Khan last featured in the IPL in 2021 for Punjab Kings, where he played just two matches. The Test batter from Mumbai is often overlooked in the auction as he specializes in the long format. However, this year in the SMAT, the 28-year-old has shown his T20 form with an unbeaten 47-ball 100 against Assam, a 40-ball 52 against Kerala, and a 25-ball 64 against Haryana. Khan will hope to attract bids, now that he is also a lot fitter physically.
Akash Deep
Base price: Rs 1cr
The pacer, who played six games and claimed three wickets for Lucknow Super Giants in 2025, was the star of India’s Test victory over England in Birmingham in July, claiming a 10-wicket match haul (4-88 and 6-99). Recently, Akash Deep has shown promise playing for Bengal in the SMAT, claiming 2-55 against Punjab, 3-27 against Services, and 2-32 against Haryana. Deep, 29, will be eyeing more game time in IPL 2026 on the back of these performances.
Ravi Bishnoi
Base price: Rs 2cr
The leg-spinner had a middling season with LSG in 2025, claiming nine wickets in 11 matches. He has done well in SMAT, claiming nine wickets in seven games, with a best of 3-13 vs Puducherry. Franchises, who will bid for him, will hope Bishnoi, 25, who is known for his wrong ‘un, can rock on.
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