Future kings of IPL! 7 young players who could dominate 2026 season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) consistently provides a structured platform for emerging domestic cricketers to showcase their talent against international-quality players. As the 2026 season approaches, several highly talented young players are preparing to display their skills.

They will aim to secure attention from selectors through their performances. Notably, the tournament has unearthed international stars like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya by rewarding consistent performers with opportunities under pressure.

While senior players command most of the spotlight, the upcoming 19th edition features several expensive uncapped auction picks who are well-positioned to make a strong impact throughout the competition.

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IPL 2026 will begin with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi enters the new season as the youngest active player in the tournament at just 14 years old. The Rajasthan Royals secured the left-handed opening batter when he was only 13 for ₹1.1 crore.

He became the youngest cricketer to sign an Indian Premier League franchise contract. During the 2025 season, he justified the investment by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket history.

The left-handed batter scored 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Jaipur. He reached the century mark in 35 deliveries, recording the second-fastest hundred in the tournament.

He finished the season with 252 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 206.55. He opened the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. The Rajasthan Royals management expects the teenager to continue providing explosive starts in the upcoming season.

Ayush Mhatre

Ayush Mhatre arrives for the tournament after successfully leading the India Under-19 team to a World Cup title. The 18-year-old top-order batter from Mumbai began playing cricket at the age of five. He made his first-class debut at 17, registering his maiden century in just his third Ranji Trophy match.

Mhatre scored 181 runs off 117 balls in a Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture on December 31, 2024. He became the youngest player to score 150 or more in a List A match. Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, he received a mid-season call-up.

Chennai Super Kings drafted him as an injury replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He made a memorable debut, scoring 32 runs off 15 balls.

He finished the 2025 season with 240 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 188.97. The franchise retained him for ₹30 lakh and expect him to open the innings alongside Sanju Samson or Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Prashant Veer

Chennai Super Kings secured Prashant Veer for ₹14.2 crore during the recent auction. The 20-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder triggered an intense bidding war involving Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before joining CSK.

The management targeted him as a direct replacement for Ravindra Jadeja following an offseason trade. He was nicknamed "Miller" in age-group cricket due to his power-hitting ability. Veer scored 320 runs and picked up eight wickets for the Noida Super Kings in the UP T20 League.

During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 169.69 and took nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.76. He recently revealed that upon arriving in Chennai, MS Dhoni advised him to prioritize saving his auction money rather than focusing on on-field tactics.

Kartik Sharma

Chennai Super Kings also spent ₹14.2 crore to acquire 19-year-old wicketkeeper Kartik Sharma at the auction. The right-handed batter from Bharatpur attracted interest from multiple franchises due to his ability to clear the boundary consistently during the middle overs.

He impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Rajasthan, scoring 334 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 162.92, including 28 sixes. Sharma also showcased his red-ball potential by scoring a century on his Ranji Trophy debut against Uttarakhand.

During the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, he finished as the highest run-scorer for his state with 445 runs at a strike rate of 118.03. He will now work under the guidance of MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson in Chennai, which will help him further refine his finishing skills and wicketkeeping.

Ashok Sharma

Ashok Sharma has emerged as a fast-bowling prospect for the Gujarat Titans after consistently clocking speeds well above 140 km/h during the recent domestic season. The 23-year-old right-arm pacer previously served as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals.

He was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in 2023 without making his debut. Sharma transformed his bowling approach over the past two seasons, developing into a reliable seamer. This evolution became evident during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he emerged as one of the leading wicket-takers.

Representing Rajasthan, he claimed 20 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.10 and an economy rate of 8.84. He recorded the best figures of 4/16. His performances prompted the Gujarat Titans coaching staff, led by Ashish Nehra, to invest in his raw pace and improved accuracy.

Mangesh Yadav

Mangesh Yadav provides Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a valuable left-arm pace option for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh caught the attention of scouts with his performances in local T20 tournaments.

Playing in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League, he picked up 14 wickets in just six matches at an average of 12.00. He showcased his wicket-taking ability with three four-wicket hauls and proved his capacity to dismantle batting lineups under pressure.

Apart from his bowling, he also contributes as a capable left-handed lower-order batter. The RCB management expect him to use his natural left-arm variations to deliver crucial breakthroughs during the middle and death overs.

Mangesh could replace another left-arm pacer, Yash Dayal, who was part of RCB’s title-winning campaign last year, in the playing XI. He entered the auction with a base price of ₹30 lakh, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed him for ₹5.20 crore following an intense bidding war with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Sahil Parakh

Sahil Parakh was acquired by the Delhi Capitals for ₹30 lakh during the recent auction. The 18-year-old left-handed batter has established his reputation as a reliable opening option for the India Under-19 squad after making his youth international debut against Bangladesh in 2023.

In September 2024, he delivered a match-winning performance, scoring 109 runs off 75 balls against the Australia Under-19 team.

The Delhi Capitals management could pick Sahil if there are any injury concerns or poor form among the openers. With T20 cricket demanding an attacking approach from the first delivery, his fearless style suits the modern requirements of the format.

Also read: "Never interacted with him...": Jitesh Sharma opens up on bond with Virat Kohli ahead of IPL 2026