IPL 2026 Mini-Auction Abu Dhabi offered its usual mix of surprises, but perhaps the most talked about storyline was a high-stakes chess match played between two players. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) CEO, Kavya Maranand strategic team of Chennai Super Kings (CSK)Maran’s aggressive, almost calculated counter-bids for two elite uncapped players forced CSK to spend a record-breaking ₹28,40 crore for his target, effectively wiping out a significant portion of their available auction purse,
Uncapped Million-Dollar Pair
The focus of the financial slugfest was the acquisition of two promising uncapped Indian talents – Prashant Veer (all-rounder/left arm spinner) and Karthik Sharma (Wicketkeeper-batsman).
CSK were committed to securing both players, seeing them as integral to their long-term vision of building a young core. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad were equally determined to make them pay for it.
prashant veer bid war
The bidding war for 20-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer from Uttar Pradesh was the first sign of an impending financial storm. Starting from a modest base price, the bids quickly crossed the ₹5 crore mark. When CSK entered the field, SRH (led by Kavya Maran) went head-to-head with them, causing the price to rise steadily.
SRH’s ever-increasing fortunes forced the Super Kings to dig deeper, eventually settling the deal for a surprising ₹14.20 crore. This bid immediately broke the record for the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history.
kartik sharma echo
This was evident when Rajasthan’s uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik Sharma was criticized. Once again, after initial interest from other franchises (including KKR and LSG), CSK showed their intent. Following their proven strategy, SRH pounced late and piled on the price with surgical precision.
The competition ended with CSK acquiring Karthik Sharma for the exact same amount: ₹14.20 crore. In the single auction, CSK spent ₹28.40 crore on two domestic players, making Veer and Sharma joint holders of the all-time uncapped player record.
Kavya Maran’s psychological warfare in the auction room
Maran’s involvement in the bidding for two uncapped players came across as a masterclass in auction day strategy. Representing SRH, a franchise known for its sharp auction tendencies, Maran identified CSK’s urgency to secure the versatile Indian talent – especially with the need to plan for long-term replacements. Ravindra Jadeja After moving to Rajasthan Royals. By deliberately pushing the bids well beyond the players’ actual market value and then walking away at the right time, Maran ensured that CSK had to pay a premium. The move didn’t just disrupt CSK’s plans; This took a huge toll on their purse, limited their flexibility later in the auction and underlined SRH’s tactical brilliance under Maran.
