IPL 2026: From Varun Chakaravarthy To Washington Sundar- Full List Of Tamil Nadu Players Participating

The IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16 turned out to be one of the most fascinating auctions in the tournament's history. With a relatively compact player pool and all ten franchises entering the event with clear strategies, the focus quickly shifted from overseas stars to a new and unexpected theme - uncapped Indian players attracting massive bids.

Out of 369 players who went under the hammer at the Etihad Arena, several youngsters stole the spotlight. Kolkata Knight Riders, armed with the biggest purse, grabbed headlines by securing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore, making him the most expensive player of the auction.

Once the Green bidding frenzy ended, the auction took on a far more measured

tone, with teams making calculated moves to complete their squads.

The biggest surprise, however, was the price tag commanded by uncapped Indian players. Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma emerged as major winners, each pocketing Rs 14.20 crore - an extraordinary figure for players yet to make their IPL debuts. Their deals underlined a growing belief among franchises in investing heavily in raw Indian talent.

While uncapped players enjoyed a dream outing, it was a disappointing day for Tamil Nadu cricketers in the auction room. None of the TN players competing in the mini-auction managed to attract a bid. One notable omission was Tushar Raheja, who despite a solid Tamil Nadu Premier League campaign, failed to find a buyer.

However, the absence of Tamil Nadu names in the auction does not mean the state will lack representation in IPL 2026. Several established stars from Tamil Nadu will continue to feature prominently for their respective franchises in the upcoming season, bringing experience and quality to the tournament.

Tamil Nadu players set to participate in IPL 2026

• Shahrukh Khan (GT)
• Washington Sundar (GT)
• Sai Kishore (GT)
• Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR)
• Manimaran Siddharth (LSG)
• Gurjapneet Singh (CSK)

Indian internationals like Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar remain vital assets due to their versatility and experience at the highest level, while Shahrukh Khan and Sai Kishore have steadily built reputations as dependable performers.

As IPL 2026 approaches, Tamil Nadu's presence may not have dominated the auction headlines, but its players are once again set to play key roles on the biggest stage of Indian cricket.