IPL 2026 Trade: Uncapped Players Who Could Change Teams Before The Next Edition

Rajgeeta Yadav

Ashutosh Sharma and Robin Minz [Source: @mufaddal_vohra and @amitp9201/X.com]Ashutosh Sharma and Robin Minz [Source: @mufaddal_vohra and @amitp9201/X.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a platform where talent meets opportunity, and ahead of the 2026 season, the buzz around player trades is heating up. With the trade window currently open following the conclusion of IPL 2025, teams are actively scouting for fresh talent to strengthen their squads. While big-name transfers always grab headlines, it’s the uncapped players, those without international experience, who often prove to be surprise packages.

Trades in IPL can occur either before or after the auction during a designated window. These trades can be straightforward player swaps, all-cash deals, or a mix of both. With the auction for IPL 2026 likely to be held in December 2025, the current trading window is a crucial opportunity for franchises to plug the gaps in their lineups.

Let’s take a look at three uncapped players who could be on the move and what they bring to the table.

Ashutosh Sharma: Could Return To PBKS

Ashutosh Sharma, a hard-hitting middle-order batter, made his IPL debut in 2024. Initially part of Punjab Kings (PBKS), he is currently with Delhi Capitals. Despite being relatively new to the league, Ashutosh has shown glimpses of brilliance. In 24 IPL matches, he has scored 393 runs with a superb strike rate of 163.75, including two half-centuries.

Ashutosh Sharma's IPL Stats

Teams
Mat
Runs
Ave
SR
DC1320429.14160.62
PBKS1118927167.25

Looking at PBKS’s issues in the lower middle order, they might be thinking about bringing him back. Punjab’s batting lineup lacked depth in the last season, and Ashutosh fits the profile of a player who can accelerate in the last few overs. If PBKS are serious about fixing that gap, they could make a move for him.

However, Delhi Capitals may not want to let go of him so easily. Ashutosh has done well under DC’s setup and adds value as a finisher. Unless Punjab makes a strong financial offer, Ashutosh might choose to stay with Delhi, where he seems to have a clear role and regular opportunities.

Robin Minz: A Wicketkeeper Option For CSK

Robin Minz’s IPL journey has been filled with ups and downs. He was first picked up by Gujarat Titans in 2024 for ₹3.5 crore but missed the season due to a motorcycle accident. Mumbai Indians gave him a shot in 2025, but his debut season didn’t go as planned, he scored just 6 runs in two matches.

Despite this, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might be interested in the Jharkhand-based wicketkeeper-batter. The franchise might see him as a long-term investment, especially with MS Dhoni likely stepping away soon. 

What makes this possible trade even more compelling is a promise Dhoni made to Robin’s father at the Ranchi airport: if no one else picked him, CSK would. That moment may now turn into a reality.

CSK had a disappointing 2025 season, finishing at the bottom of the table. They desperately need young talent in the middle order, and Minz could be molded into a reliable option behind the stumps and with the bat.

Robin Minz - Performance Snapshot

Format
Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
IPL26340
T20 Domestic97312.16140.38

His numbers don’t jump off the page yet, but teams like CSK, who are known for building players patiently, might want to give him another chance in a different environment.

Manoj Bhandage: A Multi-Utility Pick For LSG

Another exciting name that is Manoj Bhandage from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Though he featured in just one match in IPL 2025, his domestic form tells a different story. He shined in the 2024 Maharaja T20 Trophy, playing a key role in Mysore Warriors’ title win. In that tournament, he scored 292 runs in 12 innings with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 213.14 and also picked up 8 wickets.

Given Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) struggles in the middle order and their inconsistent bowling lineup, Bhandage seems like a perfect fit. As an all-rounder, he offers dual utility, big hitting in the death overs and a useful bowling option. LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2025, and trading for Bhandage could be part of their reset strategy.

If RCB feels they don’t have room for him in their setup, a trade to a team like Lucknow might benefit both sides.