In a stunning turn at the IPL 2026 auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer for a whopping ₹14.20 crore, making him the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL history.
The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, who entered with a base price of just ₹30 lakh, sparked a fierce bidding war involving Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, and a late surge from Sunrisers Hyderabad before CSK sealed the deal.
Veer, born on November 24, 2005, in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, has risen rapidly through the ranks. A left-handed lower-order power-hitter-nicknamed "Miller" for his six-hitting prowess-and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, he first caught attention in the Uttar Pradesh T20
League (UPT20) playing for Noida Super Kings, where he scored 320 runs at a strike rate of around 155 and picked up crucial wickets.
CSK's massive investment comes after trading star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals. And as the UP-born has enjoyed a major windfall, MyKhel caught up with Prashant's uncle, Sachin Tripathi, who has witnessed his nephew's rise to the present bracket.
"Everyone in the family is happy. We never expected him to reach this level this soon, but we are all extremely ecstatic. Hopefully, he will go on to do well with the Chennai Super Kings. The entire family is behind him and we all have our best wishes for Prashant," said his uncle in an exclusive chat.
Hailing from Sahajipur village in the Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh, Prashant has been an architect of his own fate. His cricketing journey was immensely supported by his family since the youngster started his journey at the age of 11 years. And since then, Prashant himself has grown in stature on his own merit.
"Wo jo bana hain, apne daam pe bana hain (Whatever he has made, he has made it on his own). He has not been motivated or promoted by anyone. He used to play cricket since he was 11 years old. The family has only been supportive of him, and we decided to let him play cricket if he likes, and he did so. "
His domestic T20 exploits continued in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 112 runs at a strike rate over 167 and 12 wickets at an economy of 6.45. Veer has also debuted in first-class cricket and shone in age-group and List A tournaments. The UP player will be playing under the wings of legendary Indian cricketer MS Dhoni, and with the guidance of CSK as a franchise, the youngster will hope to reach the next big leap in his career.
