The IPL 2026 auction has thrown up an unexpected talking point: the inclusion of former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar in the uncapped players' category.
Shankar, who has previously represented India in
12 ODIs and nine T20Is, features among the 350 shortlisted cricketers set to go under the hammer in Abu Dhabi on December 16. His uncapped status has raised eyebrows, but the explanation lies in a relatively new IPL regulation.
As per the rule introduced ahead of IPL 2025, a previously capped Indian international can be classified as uncapped if they have not featured in the playing XI for India across formats - Tests, ODIs or T20Is - in the last five calendar years, and do not hold a current BCCI central contract. This criterion applies exclusively to Indian players and aims to streamline the pool, especially for veterans and fringe internationals.
This rule isn't being applied for the first time. Last year, it allowed two high-profile names - MS Dhoni and Sandeep Sharma - to be retained as uncapped players by Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively, at a capped retention salary of ₹4 crore. Shankar now becomes one of the latest beneficiaries of this clause.
However, his road back to the IPL won't be straightforward. Released by Chennai Super Kings after a forgettable IPL 2025 season, Shankar hasn't helped his case with a modest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign for Tripura - crossing the 30-run mark just twice in seven outings, with a top score of 50.
Despite that, his base price of ₹30 lakh makes him a low-risk option for franchises looking for experience and backup depth. The 34-year-old will feature in the seventh auction set, among uncapped all-rounders that include names like Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Tanush Kotian, Auqib Nabi, Mahipal Lomror and Prashant Veer.
While Shankar's days as a first-choice IPL starter may be behind him, his versatility and past big-match exposure could still appeal to teams seeking balance and squad stability. Whether he finds a buyer remains to be seen - but his uncapped tag has already ensured he is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into this year's auction.
