Top 5 uncapped Indian bowlers to watch out for in IPL 2026 Auction ft. Auqib Nabi

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction is around the corner, and the franchises will be on the hunt for players to either revamp or polish their squad after the first season of the new cycle. One area of focus for the teams would be to rope in future prospects for the long run.

Given the competitive nature of India's cricketing teams across all formats, a lot of talented players, despite their potential, have not had the opportunity to make it to the national squad. However, they do have the platform in the form of domestic cricket, an avenue which scouts take seriously.

On that note, let us take a look at the top five uncapped Indian bowlers to watch out for in the IPL 2026 Auction.

#1 Auqib Nabi

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer has been on the rise for a while, and his arrival to the spotlight might help him seal an IPL contract as well. Franchises are always on the hunt for bowlers brimming with potential so they can be developed under their supervision and become long-term assets for the team.

In terms of both potential and experience, Auqib Nabi ticks those boxes. Another prominent factor that works in his favor is his form. The right-arm pacer has been in sublime touch in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well.

He was the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker in the 2025-26 SMAT group stage with 15 scalps in seven matches at an average of 13.26 and an economy rate of 7.41. In a timely fashion ahead of the auction, he also showed his handy ability with the bat recently after smashing his career high T20 score in the recent win over Madhya Pradesh.

#2 Eden Apple Tom

The Kerala bowler has been a recent prospect who has gone under the radar amid the intense competition, and the IPL 2026 comes across as the perfect avenue for him to be in a brighter spotlight. The right-arm pacer has been exceptional in the early stages of his red-ball career, since making his debut at the age of 16.

While Eden Apple Tom does not have any major T20 cricket experience under his belt so far, his raw potential is worth taking a bet for franchises to get ahead of the curve. He featured for the Aries Kollam Sailors in the 2025 Kerala Cricket League (KCL), but did not have a stellar campaign as he was used sparingly.

However, that should not dissuade the franchises by any means, since proper guidance in an IPL setup could help him grow and reach his potential, while he can be a reliable backup for the time being.

#3 Raj Limbani

A member of the 2024 U-19 World Cup Indian side that made it to the finals, Raj Limbani has progressed well in the early stages of his domestic career. Since making his T20 debut in late 2024, the right-arm pacer has taken 16 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 17.25 and an economy of 8.85.

Limbani had shown his abilities with the new ball during the U-19 World Cup campaign, while in recent matches, he has shone in the death overs in particular. He has been prolific at either end of the innings during the 2025-26 SMAT campaign, where, with 15 wickets in seven matches, he is the leading wicket-taker for Baroda.

#4 Akash Madhwal

The right-arm pacer came into prominence with a fruitful stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI) a couple of seasons back, which was followed by a move to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2025 mega auction.

He could be a bargain pick considering he is one of the few Indian bowlers who is close to being a death specialist, and possesses the exact skill set for the task.

Madhwal recently featured for Uttarakhand in the 2025-26 SMAT, where he took three wickets in six matches. However, as one of the few Indian uncapped pacers with credible IPL experience, his form may not be such a massive factor if franchises are interested in him.

#5 Ashok Sharma

History has shown that recency bias plays a massive factor in IPL Auctions, and a candidate who can make the most of that is Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma. Currently the leading wicket-taker of 2025-26 SMAT with 19 wickets in seven matches, the pacer has been on fire since making his debut only a couple of months back.

He has been on the radar for a while, featuring for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as a net bowler, while being part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad later on. However, he is yet to make his IPL debut. His recent run of form aligning perfectly with the IPL Auctions could be the push that he needs to get to the next step.

Possessing a mighty leap and express pace, he could be handy for the franchises across all phases of the innings, particularly during the middle and death overs, where his ability to hit the deck and variations will come into play.