Prithvi Shaw eyes fresh IPL start in 2026 after dominance in domestic cricket
Published - 09 Dec 2025, 02:13 PM
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Prithvi Shaw is all set to rule the big stage once again, as the Maharashtra opener has been named in the final list of players for the IPL 2026 auction, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
After going unsold last year and going through one of the toughest phases of his career, Prithvi Shaw is aiming for a big comeback following his strong domestic performances for Maharashtra. Shaw has set his base price of ₹75 lakh, as he is aiming for a solid IPL return.
Prithvi Shaw enters IPL 2026 Auction after dream domestic season with Maharashtra
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a standout Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season so far, scoring 470 runs for Maharashtra, including a blazing 72-ball double century against Chandigarh.
Read Also: BCCI confirms 350-player list for IPL 2026 mini-auction; Big overseas names added late
Prithvi Shaw also captained Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 and smashed a 23-ball half-century, proving his power-hitting ability is very much alive.
This positive turnaround comes after a difficult year where Shaw struggled with fitness concerns and disciplinary issues. Things got so rough that the young opener was dropped from Mumbai’s Ranji squad in the middle of the 2024 season and did not find any buyers in the IPL 2025 auction.
Prithvi Shaw's IPL career
Prithvi Shaw, who was once seen as one of India’s brightest young stars, has not played for the national team since 2021. But after shifting to Maharashtra, he has slowly rebuilt his game and his confidence. Now, Shaw hopes an IPL franchise will take interest and give him a fresh start.
His last IPL appearance came for Delhi Capitals in the 2024 season, where he featured in eight matches. The Mumbaikar had made his IPL debut with Delhi Capitals in 2018, and since then, he has played 79 matches so far and scored 1892 runs at an impressive strike rate of 147.46 with the help of 14 fifties.
Read Also: BCCI to map out detailed rehab for Shreyas Iyer after crucial scan in December
350 players set to battle for 77 spots in IPL 2026 Auction
Meanwhile, the upcoming IPL 2026 auction will see a total of 350 players, including 240 Indians and 110 overseas, going under the hammer on December 16. They will compete for only 77 available slots across the 10 teams. Among the big international names is South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, who has been listed with a ₹1 crore base price.
Australia’s batting icon Steve Smith, who last played in the IPL in 2021, also listed himself for the auction with a ₹2 crore base price. Initially, 1,390 players registered for the auction. That number was cut to 1,005 and finally narrowed to 350 players who will now enter the auction.
Cameron Green, Steve Smith and David Miller lead ₹2 Crore bracket
The highest base price category of ₹2 crore includes Australia’s Cameron Green and Jake Fraser-McGurk, Smith, New Zealand’s Devon Conway, and South Africa’s David Miller. Venkatesh Iyer, released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), also placed himself in the ₹2 crore bracket.
Among the teams, the KKR will enter the IPL 2026 auction with the biggest purse of ₹64.3 crore after releasing several players. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) follow with ₹43.4 crore, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have the third-biggest purse at ₹25.5 crore.
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