IPL and crowning of the uncapped talent

Some of India's rising T20 talent could make it big on Dec 16 in IPL 2026 auction

- Somshuvra Laha and Sanjjeev K Samyal

One of the exciting aspects of the IPL auction is the element of unknown-uncapped domestic players hitting the big payday and finding instant national attention.

Tuesday's mini auction in Abu Dhabi could also give a set of rising players their moment in the IPL sun. The vast network of scouts are at the state T20 leagues and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The national T20 tournament held ahead of the auction was a perfect opportunity for the players. HT looks at some of the uncapped domestic players who have caught the attention of franchises.

Auqib Nabi

Four wickets in four balls against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy in August should have been the high point of J&K pacer Auqib Nabi's season, but he continues to impress with control and economy in white-ball cricket. In the Kolkata phase of SMAT, Nabi took 15 wickets in 7 matches (econ 7.41). Not many can swing the ball like him, especially under lights, and that has stirred talk that at least two franchises may go for him. An added benefit is his lower-order batting, a 21-ball 32 against Madhya Pradesh the highlight of his show (he also took 3/19).

Tushar Raheja