Somehow it has always been tough for the Indian domestic players, who are seen as red-ball specialists, to get IPL contracts. Their record hardly matters, but what does hold the key is their strike-rate and the ability to hit the ball long. As history has seen, it was always difficult for uber-talented Cheteshwar Pujara, to get a place in the IPL.
So much so, that he only ended up playing 30 matches, and did not play in the IPL after 2014. And that is just one example, there are multiple others. But the IPL auction 2026 could be a bit different, where these long form-specialists could get contracts, given their excellent performances in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26.
Abhimanyu Easwaran
Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran has been nothing short of a revelation this year. Or let us just say, his performances have been tracked better. In the ongoing SMAT season, in six matches he has scored 255 runs, including a ton and a fifty, and strike rate has been over 150. Teams like KKR, LSG and RR could look at him as a back up opener.
Sarfaraz Khan
The Mumbai batter has played in the IPL, as recent as 2023. He has an experience of 50 matches under his belt, where he scored 585 runs at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 130. Ever since breaking into the Indian setup, he is somehow looked at as a one format player. But in SMAT, he has scored a ton and a fifty, where his strike-rate has been 165. Again, he could be a back up only option, GT or DC.
Auqib Nabi
Never been picked in the IPL before, Auqib Nabi seems to be in the form of his life. In the SMAT, he has picked 12 wickets where his economy has been 7.88 only. He could be a serious part of the playing XIs as well, especially for teams like CSK and MI, who might not have adequate Indian pace bowling options.
