Karan Lal is set to be one of the uncapped players to watch at the IPL 2026 auction, taking place on Tuesday, December 16, in Abu Dhabi. The Bengal all-rounder has shown consistent growth in domestic cricket over the past two years. The right-handed batter scored 219 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 195.52, including 113 off 50 balls against Himachal in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
In the 2024 edition of the tournament, the 25-year-old amassed 338 runs in nine games at a strike rate of 161.72, including two half-centuries. Over the last two seasons, he has smashed 33 sixes, showcasing his power-play prowess. With his off-spin, Lal claimed seven wickets in 2025 and one in 2024, adding value with the ball as well.
In addition, Lal topped the run charts in the 2025 Bengal Pro T20 League, accumulating 255 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 134.21, including two half-centuries. He also contributed with the ball, taking seven wickets. In the 2024 season, the all-rounder scored 192 runs and claimed eight wickets. Here are three franchises that could target Karan Lal in the IPL 2026 auction:
#3 Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set for a major overhaul ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. According to Sportskeeda, the three-time champions were particularly impressed by Karan Lal’s blistering century against Himachal Pradesh in the 2025 SMAT. Lal also shone during the trial matches.
Promoted to bat at No. 4, he scored a quick 52 off 23 balls in the first of the three practice games. In the next match, he contributed 32 runs and picked up the wickets of Yash Dhull and Rahul Tripathi in the 17th over. He did not bat or bowl in the third game.
With seven Indian slots up for grabs in the IPL 2026 auction, KKR are likely to target Lal, who comes with a base price of INR 30 lakh. The franchise will enter the auction with the largest purse of INR 64.3 crore, with 13 slots available, including six overseas spots.
#2 Gujarat Titans
The Gujarat Titans (GT) are expected to target a backup opener in the IPL 2026 auction, as their only specialist openers currently are captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. During the 2025 season, Jos Buttler batted at No. 3, scoring 538 runs in 13 innings with five half-centuries, while Kumar Kushagra also occupies the No. 3 spot in domestic cricket.
Glenn Phillips is a dedicated middle-order batsman, and Anuj Rawat has mainly featured in the middle order in the T20 league after underwhelming performances as an opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2022. In this context, Karan Lal could fit well into GT’s plans.
Additionally, the team could use his off-spin more effectively at home due to the larger boundaries at the Narendra Modi Stadium. GT has just one Indian slot left for the 2026 auction and, with INR 12.9 crore in their purse, also needs to fill four overseas spots.
#1 Rajasthan Royals
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have a long-standing reputation for backing young talent since the IPL’s inception. Like the Gujarat Titans, the Royals are looking for a backup opener behind Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, especially after Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2026 retentions.
Karan Lal could be an ideal fit, as his ability to clear the boundary would be valuable in home games at the small Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. With the ball, he can also bowl a couple of overs to support the main attack if needed. RR head into the IPL 2026 auction with nine available slots, including eight for Indian players, and a purse of INR 16.05 crore.
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