IPL 2026 Auction: 5 Players Whose Careers Changed Overnight

The IPL has always been a platform where dreams come true, and players are introduced to the world of fantasies and expectations. This IPL mini-auction also marked a life-changing chapter in the lives of many young cricketers.

The Indian Premier League was initially started with the vision of giving younger players a platform similar to the giants of the game to show their calibre in the shortest format of the game. Over the years, the IPL has given rise to many such youngsters.

From Hardik Pandya to Jasprit Bumrah for India, Dewald Brevis for South Africa, Glenn Maxwell for Australia, Jofra Archer for England, Sunil Narine for the West Indies, and many more kick-started their international careers on the back of strong IPL performances.

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This IPL mini-auction 2026 also meant the same for many players, as lives changed over the auction table. From Cameron Green's record bid to Auqib Nabi's maiden IPL contract, this auction was full of eventful surprises.

5 Players whose careers changed after IPL mini-auction 2026

5. Mangesh Yadav

The 23-year-old cricketer from Madhya Pradesh made his domestic debut just 2 days before the IPL mini-auction, and he immediately grabbed the attention of everyone. Mangesh Yadav was signed for a whopping INR 5.20 crore.

With 28 runs off the bat and three wickets in two games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the all-rounder will be joining several of his Madhya Pradesh teammates. He had earlier picked up 14 wickets in the MP T20 League.

4. Cameron Green

The Australian all-rounder was already anticipated to be the costliest player in the auction. However, no one could predict that his prices would go as high as INR 25.20 crore. The insane bidding between the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders resulted in massive perks for the Australian cricketer.

Green is undoubtedly one of the most promising all-rounders in the upcoming era. But suffering injuries, he has been thrashed in his career early on. This massive perk would land him huge relief, and he could be highly motivated to make the most of it.

3. Auqib Nabi

The capped star from Jammu & Kashmir became the highest-ever-paid player from the state. Auqib Nabi has been a star in domestic cricket for J&K across all three formats of the game and was much in the limelight.

Delhi Capitals looked determined to include the uncapped pacer who had a base price of INR 30 lakh. His prices went high to almost 30 times, as he was finally bought for an insane INR 8.40 crore. He not only had a huge deal but will also be offered a massive opportunity.

2. Kartik Sharma

Kartik Sharma, the young and promising uncapped player, has earned a reputation as a finisher and has evolved into a six-hitting machine. The powerful batter might have expected a contract at the back of his recent exploits, but who would have quoted INR 14.20 crore for the 19-year-old?

Not only is the insane amount of money great, but also the opportunity to star for the Chennai Super Kings and under the wing of MS Dhoni is a huge opportunity in itself for the wicket-keeper batter.

1. Prashant Veer

The player Prashant Veer has been taking the internet by storm after he was bought for a massive INR 14.20 crore. The left-arm spinner and the aggressive batter have been seen as the replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.

Veer is pleased with the opportunity to star for the Chennai Super Kings, as he wants to explore the opportunity to learn from the best. He looked inspired to evolve as a finisher under the guidance of MS Dhoni. This is truly a dream come true for the 20-year-old.

ALSO READ: Cameron Green out for duck right after ₹25.20 crore IPL 2026 auction deal, KKR left worried