With the IPL 2026 mini-auction approaching, attention is turning to India’s domestic T20 circuit — particularly the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26. Several uncapped players have used the tournament to announce their arrival, and among them are five individuals whose recent performances could make them hot commodities.
These players bring a mix of pace, power-hitting and wicket-keeping skills — assets that many franchises will value ahead of the bidding war.
Auqib Nabi (Jammu & Kashmir) — Seam Bowler with Strike Potential
Among all uncapped Indian fast bowlers, Auqib Nabi stands out as possibly the most sought-after. At age 29, he picked up 15 wickets in just seven matches in Elite Group B of SMAT 2025/26, maintaining an economy rate of only 7.41 — a noteworthy feat in T20 cricket.
Beyond his SMAT performance, Nabi also boasts a strong first-class record: 125 wickets from 36 games.
His ability to swing the new ball and deliver early breakthroughs positions him as a top domestic seamer — an appealing prospect for franchises seeking Indian pace options in the auction.
Kartik Sharma (Rajasthan) — Young Wicket-keeper Batter with Finishing Flair
At just 19, Kartik Sharma offers a compelling package: wicket-keeping skills and a hard-hitting bat. In SMAT 2025/26, he scored 133 runs in five matches at a strike-rate north of 160 — impressive for a middle-order batter.
This combination of glovework and finishing ability could fill a dual role for IPL teams, making him a prized long-term investment. For sides looking for a young, dynamic Indian keeper-batter, Kartik could be a smart value pick.
Tushar Raheja (Tamil Nadu) — Aggressive Opener & Keeper-Batter
Tushar Raheja brings another variation to the auction table: a left-handed opening batter who also keeps wickets. In the latest SMAT, he amassed 151 runs in seven games at a strike-rate of 164.
His aggressive style isn’t limited to SMAT — he was the top run-getter in the 2025 edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), sustaining a blistering strike-rate of 185.
Given the premium on power-hitting openers who can double as wicket-keepers, Raheja offers the kind of flexibility many franchises crave — a potentially high-reward option in the auction.
Anmolpreet Singh (Punjab) & Ashok Sharma (Rajasthan) — A Batter and a New-Ball Pacer With Momentum
Rounding up the five is a contrasting pair: one seasoned batter, one promising young pacer. At 27, Anmolpreet Singh has been around domestic cricket for a while — but his SMAT 2025/26 performance might finally turn heads. He slammed 241 runs in seven matches at a strike-rate of 172, making him Punjab’s second-highest run-getter behind only a top batter from the state.
Although previous IPL stints with franchises like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) weren’t consequential, his recent run suggests he could enter the auction as one of the most in-form uncapped Indian batters.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Ashok Sharma from Rajasthan has emerged as a strike bowler — bagging 19 wickets in seven SMAT matches, the most by any bowler in the league phase. Capable of bowling at speeds up to 140 km/h, Ashok combines youth with pace — a valuable combination for teams looking to bolster their Indian seamer slots.
Interestingly, Ashok isn’t new to the IPL ecosystem: he has previously been part of franchise rosters, which could give him an edge during the auction.
Why These Five Could Be Big Auction Buys
The 2025/26 SMAT season appears to have reshuffled the domestic talent deck, presenting teams with fresh and compelling options. Each of these five players offers something different — be it pace, explosive batting, wicket-keeping versatility, or a combination thereof.
For franchises, especially those constrained by overseas-player quotas, investing in talented Indian uncapped players who bring dual skills is often a smart strategy.
As teams prepare their war chests for the auction, expect names like Auqib Nabi, Kartik Sharma, Tushar Raheja, Anmolpreet Singh and Ashok Sharma to draw serious interest. Their strong domestic form — backed by credible records — could translate into “big money” deals in the IPL 2026 auction, especially under the mini-auction format where teams often seek value buys from the domestic pool.
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