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Mumbai Indians included: IPL teams likely to target Salil Arora in the 2026 mini-auction

Kaushik Kashyap

Salil Arora century vs Jharkhand. [Source - BCCIDomestic/X]Salil Arora century vs Jharkhand. [Source - BCCIDomestic/X]

Salil Arora grabbed headlines after his explosive 39-ball century against Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 23-year-old keeper-batter remained unbeaten on 125, smashing 11 sixes and 9 fours. With the IPL 2026 auction just four days away, he is shaping up as a hot pick.

Arora’s power-packed innings has turned heads, especially among IPL franchises looking for a dynamic Indian uncapped wicket-keeper. At just 23, his ability to change games in T20s makes him a potential game-changer. Here’s a look at the IPL teams most likely to target him in the auction.

1. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians could be among the first teams eyeing Punjab’s keeper-batter Salil Arora in the IPL 2026 auction. With a modest 2.75 crore purse, it remains to be seen if they can secure him, but several factors make Arora a likely MI target.

Reasons MI could target Salil Arora:

  • MI needs a wicketkeeper-batter who can bat in the middle order or at the death to add quick runs.
  • Robin Minz has been retained but was not convincing last season.
  • KL Shrijith from Karnataka has been released, creating a vacancy for a young keeper-batter.
  • MI has a history of investing in young Punjab talent, and Salil has been part of multiple MI trials in the past.
  • Salil Arora is in Set 18 of uncapped Indian wicket-keepers, not the first set that is set no. 8, allowing MI to wait and bid strategically after other teams have spent their purse.

2. Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders are undergoing a major overhaul ahead of IPL 2026, with a huge ₹64.30 crore purse. Struggling in middle-overs last season, KKR will eye both overseas and Indian uncapped wicket-keeper options, including someone like Salil Arora.

Reasons KKR could target Salil Arora:

  • KKR was the worst middle-over batting team (7-16 overs) in IPL 2025, averaging 19.57 with a 126.62 strike rate.
  • Released Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, creating opportunities for new WK options.
  • Will likely target an overseas keeper for the top order, but also consider Indian uncapped options, mostly for middle-order.
  • Cannot rely on Angkrish Raghuvanshi as backup keeper.
  • With a huge 64.30 crore purse, they can secure big names in the first 70 picks and pick Salil later in the accelerated auction.

3. Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals could target Salil Arora in the IPL 2026 auction. With a ₹16.05 crore purse, the franchise has the flexibility to bid for the dynamic keeper-batter and strengthen their squad options.

Reasons RR could target Salil Arora:

  • With Sanju Samson’s departure, there is a need for Dhruv Jurel’s wicket-keeping backup.
  • Jurel might bat at No. 3, leaving a gap in the middle-lower order.
  • RR’s middle-lower order struggled to finish games in IPL 2025, costing them a playoff spot.
  • Shimron Hetmyer needs support at the death, as Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja provide limited firepower.
  • Salil Arora can be an impact player in the final overs, adding quick runs.
  • Kunal Singh Rathore’s release creates a spot for an Indian uncapped wicket-keeper.

Conclusion

Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals emerge as the top three teams likely to target Salil Arora in the IPL 2026 auction. There are plenty of uncapped Indian wicket-keeper options in the auction this time, but Salil Arora’s timely century makes him one of the hottest picks without a doubt.