The Indian Premier League (IPL) has released the truncated list of eligible players for the upcoming 2026 mini-auction, reducing the original pool of 1,390 registrations to 350 names. All 10 franchises will gather in Abu Dhabi on December 16 to fight for talent and shape their teams for the new season.
Most of the shortlisted players are Indian, with a mix of experienced internationals and uncapped talent. Along with foreign cricketers, lesser-known players will also be hoping for success. Teams have 77 roster spots available to fill during the mini-auction, including 31 slots for foreign signings.
Players enter the auction in eight base-price categories, starting from ₹30 lakh and going up to ₹2 crore. Performance in Ranji Trophy 2025-26 and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 could impact his chances of being selected in the auction.
From Ranji to riches: Players ready for IPL breakthrough
Auqib Nabi
Auqib Nabi is one of the most reliable fast bowlers in the Indian domestic scene. He relies on control, swing and new ball skills to bowl at speeds of 125-130 kmph, earning him comparisons with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The fast bowler has been exceptional in the recent Ranji Trophy season, taking 44 wickets at an average of less than 14 in 2024-25. His impressive performances against Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Rajasthan have brought him into the national spotlight.
With his credibility at all stages and a strong domestic record, Nabi now looks set for success in the IPL auction. It is expected that many franchises will target him and he can get his first IPL deal at a strong price.
Ravichandran Smaran and Abhinav Tejrana
Ravichandran Smaran was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 30 lakh as a replacement for Adam Zampa for the IPL 2025 season. The 22-year-old has already scored three double centuries in just 13 first-class matches.
He has played big innings in difficult conditions, rescued Karnataka from difficult situations and shown a mixture of calm batting and clean hitting. After performing well in white ball cricket last year, he has now proved himself in red ball cricket also.
Abhinav Tejarana also impressed in Ranji Trophy. After leaving Delhi for greater opportunities, he started his Ranji career with a double century for Goa and continued to score runs, including a century against Saurashtra. His consistent performances have made him one of the most promising batsmen in the auction.
Sarfaraz Khan and Shams Mulani
Sarfaraz Khan struggled in his Ranji Trophy campaign, which was in contrast to his usual heavy run-scoring. He could only score 111 runs in his first six innings and was unable to convert any of his starts into half-centuries. However, he scored 67 runs in the first leg final match against Himachal Pradesh.
Shams Mulani is one of Mumbai’s most reliable match-winners. He is once again in the race for the top three positions among wicket takers. Despite stiff competition among left-arm spinners, he has been performing with remarkable consistency.
Mulani has played a major role in Mumbai’s position in Group D. He has scored important runs with the bat and delivered decisive spells with the ball. His standout performances include seven wickets against Jammu and Kashmir and an important half-century and five wickets against Himachal.
Also read: Unknown Indian names who will surprise the IPL auction table
