The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled to take place on December 15, 2025, likely in India, marking a return to the home soil after the previous two auctions were held abroad in Dubai and Jeddah.
This mini-auction
will see all 10 franchises reshaping their squads ahead of the new season, with a retention deadline set for November 15.
While most teams aim for selective upgrades, franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals may undergo significant reshuffles following tough seasons. The auction is highly anticipated as teams strategize their bids for new and returning talent.
And as the mini auction arrives, it will provide the opportunity for some of the players who failed to seal a deal for themselves in the previous edition. In this article, we shall take a look at 5 Indian players who went unsold last time, but can be picked in this upcoming auction.
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw has shown promising signs of returning to form with a brilliant century (186 runs) in a warm-up match for Maharashtra ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season, despite a tough 2024-25 season and going unsold in the 2025 auction. His career IPL record includes explosive innings with a strike rate of 147.46 and a history of impactful performances as an aggressive opening batter. Teams looking for a dynamic and attacking opener have reason to pick him, considering his regained form and ability to score quickly at the top.
Tushar Raheja
Tushar Raheja, known for his aggressive opening batting and wicketkeeping skills, had an impressive TNPL 2025 season and is seen as a potential future replacement for MS Dhoni. His dual role as a batter and keeper adds value to any IPL squad, especially for teams seeking Indian wicketkeeping strength and firepower in the top order. Raheja's attacking style fits well with franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, who may target him in IPL 2026.
N Jagadeesan
Narayan Jagadeesan was part of CSK and KKR before, but never reached the promised heights. The Tamil Nadu player has been on a purple patch since last season and has made a decent start to this season as well across formats. He also earned an India call-up for the West Indies Tests recently. Jagadeesan's destructive batting ability and wicketkeeping credentials make him a key player, who can be slotted to many IPL teams in the auction.
Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan is known for his explosive batting in the domestic circuit and IPL. While recent specific performance details were not located in this search, his experience and ability to score quickly make him a candidate for franchises looking to add depth in batting. Sarfaraz often attracts interest during auctions for his flair and potential to change games. The former Delhi Capitals player has had a decent start with Mumbai and can be one of the picks in mini auction.
Auqib Nabi
Auqib Nabi has been exceptional in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 44 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 13.93, including six five-wicket hauls. He is the leading pacer in the ongoing 2025-26 Ranji season with 24 wickets in 4 matches, highlighted by a five-wicket haul against Delhi. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and reverse swing, Nabi has a total of 120 first-class wickets. The Baramulla-born can be a hot pick in the IPL auction, as his consistency in the red ball format can pave the way into the cash-rich league.
