IPL 2026: Dream debuts beckon! 5 uncapped players who could take the IPL by storm

Jammu & Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, 29, has been one of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket over the last few seasons. He topped the wicket charts with 60 scalps, playing a key role in J&K’s maiden Ranji Trophy triumph last month. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 too, he finished as J&K’s leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps. Delhi Capitals (DC) have picked up Nabi for Rs 8.40 crore, which shows how crucial the in-form pacer could be for them. Though this will be his maiden IPL season, considering his ability to swing the ball both ways and pick wickets could make him a key asset for DC.

60
No. of wickets claimed by J&K pacer Auqib Nabi — the most by any bowler in the recently- concluded Ranji season

Mangesh Yadav, 23, pacer (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Mangesh Yadav. Pic/RCB

Just a few years ago, Madhya Pradesh’s left-arm pacer Mangesh, 23, was playing tennis ball cricket. Now, he’s preparing for his maiden IPL season after being picked by defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 5.20 crore. Mangesh is capable of hitting speeds of 140kmph, besides his slower-ball variations. Though he has represented MP in only two Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches and three Vijay Hazare Trophy games (three wickets in each tournament), his 14-wicket show in the MP T20 League last season made him stand out.

Prashant Veer, 20, all-rounder (Chennai Super Kings)

Prashant Veer. Pic/Veer’s Instagram

Prashant Veer, 20, the Amethi-born all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, has played only nine T20s, picking up 12 wickets and scoring 112 runs. But his impressive performances (376 runs and 18 wickets) in the BCCI U-23 State ‘A’ Trophy (50-over format) last season, and 320 runs and eight wickets in the UP T20 League, earned him a call-up for Chennai Super Kings’s (CSK) selection trials in Chennai. CSK then purchased him for a whopping Rs 14.2 crore, making him the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian, along with Kartik Sharma. Having Veer in their ranks, CSK are probably viewing him as a potential replacement for experienced left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was traded to Rajasthan Royals (RR). Veer is known as a good left-arm spinner who can also smash big sixes down the order.  

Ashok Sharma, 23, pacer (Gujarat Titans)

Ashok Sharma. Pic/GT

Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma, 23, served as a net bowler for RR in 2021, 2023, and 2024. He was also part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022, but did not get a game. RR picked him in 2025, but he didn’t feature in a match. Gujarat Titans (GT) have secured him for Rs 90 lakh ahead of the 2026 auction. Ashok made a strong statement in last season’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, topping the wicket charts with 22 scalps. He is known for bowling perfect yorkers at a speed of 140kmph. Looking at his current form, Ashok, an admirer of former South African speedster Dale Steyn, could finally get his IPL debut with GT this season.

22
No. of wickets by Ashok Sharma in last year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — the joint-most with Sushant Mishra

Kartik Sharma, 19, ’keeper-batter (Chennai Super Kings)

Kartik Sharma. Pic/Kartik's Instagram

CSK have also invested heavily in uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma, 19. The Rajasthan player has scored 334 runs in 12 T20s at a strike-rate of 162.92. A top-order batter known for his six-hitting ability, Karthik was bought for R14.2 crore from a base price of Rs 30 lakh. His impressive strike-rate of 160 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (133 runs in five games) compelled the five-time champions to include him in their squad.

Rs 14.2 cr
Amount spent by CSK on Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma each — highest for uncapped Indians