IPL 2026 auction: Unpopular names who could fetch big money based on recent outings

Arshin Kulkarni and Sameer Rizvi [Source: AFP]

The excitement for the IPL 2026 mini auction is already building up. Teams are busy finalising which players they will keep and which ones they’ll let go. The official retention list will be announced on November 15, and the auction is expected to take place in mid-December 2025. 

While fans eagerly wait for big names to dominate the headlines, there are a few lesser-known or “unpopular” players who might surprise everyone by getting attention from franchises this time around. Having said that, let’s look at some of these players who could be on the radar of IPL teams.

Arshin Kulkarni

Arshin Kulkarni, a young pace-bowling all-rounder from Maharashtra, was part of the Lucknow Super Giants squad in IPL 2025. He was picked for ₹30 lakh but didn’t get many chances to prove himself. In the IPL 2024 season, he only managed 9 runs in two innings, and that might make Lucknow consider releasing him before the next auction.

However, his domestic T20 numbers show he’s full of promise. In just 13 innings, he has scored 324 runs at a strike rate of 145.29, a sign of his aggressive batting style. 

[Arshin Kulkarni stats in MPL 2025]

As mentioned in the table, in the Maharashtra Premier League 2025, Arshin impressed everyone by finishing as the second-highest run-scorer, making 279 runs in 11 innings at an average of 34.88.

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Teams looking for a young Indian opener who can also bowl some medium pace might find Arshin an exciting pick. He’s the kind of player who can be groomed for the future, much like how young all-rounders such as Venkatesh Iyer and Riyan Parag rose to prominence.

R Sonu Kumar

From Tamil Nadu comes another name creating buzz, R. Sonu Yadav, a 25-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder. In the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025, he was the highest wicket-taker, picking up 16 wickets in just seven matches. Known for his ability to bowl in all phases, powerplay, middle overs, and death, Sonu has variations like yorkers and slower cutters that make him tricky to face.

[Sonu Yadav stats in IPL 2025]

Though he was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad in IPL 2023, he didn’t get a chance to debut. With his recent form and all-round abilities, this could finally be his breakthrough year.

Sameer Rizvi

Sameer Rizvi, a talented batter from Uttar Pradesh, had a mixed run in IPL 2025. Playing for the Delhi Capitals, he couldn’t make a strong impact, scoring 121 runs in four innings. Delhi’s constant middle-order changes didn’t help his confidence either. Before that, Rizvi was with Chennai Super Kings in 2024, who bought him for ₹95 lakh.

[Sameer Rizvi stats in Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2025]

Despite an average IPL season, his recent domestic form has been outstanding. In a local T20 tournament, he was the top run-scorer, hammering 491 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 161.51 and an average of 61.38. These are elite numbers for any batter, let alone a young Indian player.

If Delhi Capitals decide to release him, several franchises might go after Rizvi. Teams constantly need reliable Indian middle-order batters, especially with limited foreign player slots available. Clearly, Rizvi’s power-hitting and consistency make him a strong contender for the IPL 2026 auction.

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