Predicting the top 5 most expensive uncapped buys of IPL 2026 Auction ft. Auqib Nabi 

Whether it be Sameer Rizvi or Kumar Kushagra, or countless others over the years, there is always an uncapped player who ends up being a standout acquisition during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Auctions. The 2026 edition promises to be no different, with India's brimming talent pool offering a wide variety of options for the franchises to choose from.

The rise in state-based franchise leagues, and the overall improvement in the quality of domestic white-ball competitions, have only led to a surge in players who are ready to transition into the IPL setup.

In total, the player pool boasts 238 uncapped players, comprising nearly two-thirds of the entire player list. Out of 238 players, 224 are from India, while the remaining 14 are overseas players. With the majority of the franchises having a mammoth purse for a mini-auction with minimal slots available, some of the uncapped players who are in the spotlight can expect a major payday.

On that note, let us predict the top 5 most expensive uncapped buys of IPL 2026 Auction.

1. Kartik Sharma

A lot has been said and circulated about Rajasthan's 19-year-old star, Kartik Sharma, and for good reason as well. The wicket-keeper batter has all of the attention and hype heading into the 2026 IPL Auction and could be in the middle of some concrete interest by multiple franchises.

In 12 T20 appearances so far, he has scored 334 runs at an average of 30.36 and a strike rate of 162.92. He was in red-hot form during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, and has been in decent touch in the ongoing SMAT edition as well, where Rajasthan have progressed into the Super League stage.

2. Raj Limbani

There are plenty of uncapped pacers, but what separates Raj Limbani from the rest is his raw potential and young age. The 20-year-old has had a flying start to his career so far after a solid 2024 U-19 World Cup campaign, and now an impactful run in the 2025-26 SMAT.

Capable of bowling across all three phases of the innings, Raj Limbani has picked up 15 wickets in seven matches at an average of 14.40 and an economy rate of 8.58, and tops the charts for Baroda in the bowling department.

Franchises have the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and get him under their wings to hone his skills as a prospect and backup, and eventually develop him into first-team material.

3. Prashant Veer

What Prasanth Veer lacks in experience as a mere 20-year-old, he makes up for it with his sheer power hitting, and his left-arm spin bowling ability, making him a promising all-rounder candidate.

Prasanth Veer came into the spotlight after a stunning 2025 Uttar Pradesh T20 campaign, where he was named the emerging player of the tournament. Seven of his nine state T20 appearances have come in the 2025-26 SMAT, where he played a crucial role as a finisher and a handy bowling option.

In his most recent appearance, he slammed a 26-ball 40 in a low-scoring affair against Bihar, while also breaking the opposition's 86-run opening partnership with the ball as well. Such an X-factor player who could make an impact with the bat or ball, or both, will certainly have keen eyes fixed on him during the upcoming auction.

4. Auqib Nabi

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer, bordering on an all-rounder, is one of the most talked-about uncapped talents leading up to the 2026 IPL Auction. He had a stunning 2024-25 Domestic campaign, and has only gone a notch higher in the ongoing season.

Franchises always value quality Indian pace bowling options as they are used to bowling across all surfaces in the country, as well as the flexibility they give to play overseas players in other positions. Auqib Nabi nearly ticks all the boxes, and his rich vein of form at the moment only aids his case in triggering a bidding war.

Auqib Nabi was one of the top players in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) group stage. He bagged 15 wickets in seven matches at an average of 13.26 and an economy of 7.41. His explosive cameo in the final match against Madhya Pradesh also served as a reminder to everyone about his handy batting abilites as well.

5. Tanush Kotian

The Mumbai spinner has been one of the premier players in the domestic circuit over the last few years. He was called up to the Indian red-ball side after Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement, but has yet to make his international debut.

Tanush Kotian also had a short stint with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2024 season, where he featured in one match. He may not be a flashy wrist spinner with variations, but is an excellent defensive bowler, something which franchises will be on the hunt for, considering the run-scoring rate of modern IPL since the impact player rule.

The spinner has an economy of just 6.65 in T20 cricket in 36 matches, and on top of that, he is also a handy batter, which can be an asset in the franchises' unanimous desire for batting depth.