Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have made headlines at the IPL 2026 auction by acquiring two uncapped Indian players, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, for a record-breaking INR 28.40 crore. Both players were bought for INR 14.20 crore each, making them the joint-highest-paid uncapped players in IPL history. This move is viewed as a strategic investment in young talent and a potential rebuild for the future.
Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin bowling all-rounder from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, entered the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh. A fierce bidding war ensued between CSK, Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before CSK ultimately secured his services. Veer has drawn comparisons to Ravindra Jadeja due to his versatility as a lower-order hitter and effective spinner. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 169.69 and claimed nine wickets at an economy of 6.76. He also amassed 320 runs and eight wickets in 10 matches in the UP T20 League for Noida Super Kings, earning him the Emerging Player of the Season award. Veer's coach nicknamed him "Miller" after South African batter David Miller. He made his international debut on July 12, 2024.
Kartik Sharma, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, also commanded a high price at the auction. He entered with a base price of INR 30 lakh, triggering a four-way bidding war between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), SRH, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and CSK. CSK eventually won the battle, matching the INR 14.20 crore they spent on Veer. Sharma has caught the attention of IPL franchises with his power-hitting in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He has amassed 334 runs in 12 T20s at a strike rate of 164, hitting 28 sixes. Sharma is also known for his reliability behind the stumps.
These acquisitions represent a significant investment in uncapped talent by CSK. The previous record for the most expensive uncapped Indian player was held by Avesh Khan, who was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 10 crore in IPL 2022. Veer and Sharma's price tags surpass that mark by over 40%. CSK's willingness to spend heavily on these young players signals a strategic focus on building a team for the future.
