We are past the halfway mark of IPL 2026 - here's looking at how the most expensive uncapped players signed at the auction have fared so far this season.
How the most expensive uncapped signings at IPL 2026 auction have fared so far
All amounts in INR
Stats as on April 30.
Akshat Raghuwanshi (2.20 crore – LSG)
Yet to play
The middle-order batter from Madhya Pradesh last played professional T20 cricket in 2022, but his exploits in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League brought him to LSG's attention. He hasn't played this season so far.
Mukul Choudhary (2.60 crore – LSG)
Matches: 8 | 158 runs @ 31.20, SR 145.79, 1 fifty
Mukul Choudhary has been the most impressive rookie with the bat so far this season. Playing in the middle order for LSG, he has shown why Justin Langer felt he could be the "scariest No.6 or No.7 batter in India in the next four months." In just his third IPL appearance, he rescued LSG from a near-certain defeat, hitting 54 off 27 from No.7, featuring as many as seven sixes, to complete a last-ball chase.
Tejasvi Dahiya (3 crore – KKR)
Yet to play
A stellar Delhi Premier League season in 2025 earned the wicketkeeper-batter a contract from KKR. But with a packed middle order, he has yet to find a chance to showcase his six-hitting ability.
Mangesh Yadav (5.20 crore – RCB)
Yet to play
The left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh is highly rated and, with the ability to bowl in the middle overs, came in as a potential replacement for Yash Dayal. But he hasn't featured this season yet as RCB have preferred to give Rasikh Salam an extended run in the XII this campaign, while right-arm pacer from Uttar Pradesh, Abhinandan Singh has played three games as well.
Auqib Nabi (8.40 crore – DC)
Matches: 3 | ER 13.42
Nabi came into the tournament on the back of a superb Ranji Trophy season for Jammu and Kashmir, taking 60 wickets in 10 matches to lead them to their maiden title. He also had an impactful SMAT 2025 season, taking 15 wickets at 13.26.
In red-hot form and with the ability to move the new ball both ways, Nabi attracted bids from four franchises before ultimately going to Delhi. But an IPL that has seen runs being scored at a canter, with frequent scores of 200 and more, Nabi is yet to open his account in three matches, while conceding runs at almost 13.5 per over.
Also read: How Auqib Nabi ground his way from scarcity to IPL spotlight
Kartik Sharma (14.20 crore – CSK)
Matches: 5 | 58 runs @ 11.60, SR 118.36
The joint-most expensive player at the IPL 2026 auction, wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma found a place in the CSK XII right away, hitting 18 off 15 on his debut, but just seven runs across the next two games saw him lose his place in the side.
He returned to the playing XI in their last two IPL 2026 games, against MI and CSK. Against the five-time champions, he raced to a 10-ball 16, hitting Mitchell Santner for two sixes in an over. But he slowed down to be dismissed for 18 off 19. In the following match against GT, he scored 15 off nine, and will be looking to make the most of any more chances that come his way.
Prashant Veer (14.20 crore – CSK)
Matches: 2 | 49 runs @ 49.00, SR 136.11
Signed as a potential long-term replacement for Ravindra Jadeja for a record sum, Prashant hasn't received enough chances to showcase his talent in the IPL. After missing the first match of the season, he was picked in the starting XI against the Punjab Kings, but he could score just six runs in seven balls.
The southpaw played a handy knock of 43 off 29 in the next game against RCB, including hitting a six and three fours off a Krunal Pandya over. He hasn't played since, largely due to team combination reasons, and has also yet to bowl his left-arm spin, possibly due to a recent shoulder injury.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
