IPL 2026 Mini-Auction: Ashwin Tips Uncapped Indian Wicketkeepers as Potential Big Buys

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has identified uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batters as potential surprise market-movers who could spark bidding wars among franchises.

Speaking to senior journalist Vimal Kumra on the YouTube chat show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said franchises chasing flexibility and Indian middle-order depth could end up paying well above expectations for the right profile. According to him, missing out on one target could trigger aggressive bidding for the next — a familiar auction chain reaction.

Kartik Sharma, Salil Arora in focus

Ashwin named Kartik Sharma and Salil Arora as the two uncapped players most likely to drive that dynamic.

“It’s very difficult to stick your neck out and say someone will go for big money,” Ashwin said. “But between these two, I think one will go expensive. One is Kartik Sharma and the other is Salil Arora from Punjab.”

Explaining the psychology of the auction room, Ashwin added that both players fit a similar need.
“Salil Arora has scored runs recently and he’s also a wicketkeeper-batter. If a team misses out on Kartik Sharma, they’ll go hard for Salil Arora — or the other way around. In this auction, uncapped players will have value,” he said.

Tushar Raheja another value pick

Ashwin also highlighted Tamil Nadu’s Tushar Raheja as another uncapped option with strong value. All three wicketkeeper-batters — Kartik Sharma, Salil Arora and Tushar Raheja — have a base price of ₹30 lakh, making them affordable entries who could see their prices soar due to demand.

Auction dynamics favour uncapped players

Ashwin’s assessment hinges on classic auction psychology: franchises don’t just buy names, they buy solutions. Teams entering the auction with a clear requirement for an Indian wicketkeeper who can bat impactfully in the middle order may be forced into overpaying once options begin to run out.

Salil Arora, in particular, has momentum on his side after a blistering 125 off 45 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, an innings packed with 11 sixes and nine fours that has caught the attention of scouts and franchises alike.

With franchises looking to fill 77 slots and the auction pool featuring a strong uncapped presence, Ashwin believes the structure of this mini-auction could significantly boost the value of emerging Indian talent — especially wicketkeeper-batters who offer balance and flexibility.