Why is Akash Choudhary Not in IPL Auction After 6 Ball 6 Sixes?

Meghalaya’s Akash Kumar Choudhary lit up the Ranji Trophy with an extraordinary display of power-hitting, cracking six sixes in a single over and eight in a row across two overs during a Plate Group clash against Arunachal Pradesh in Surat. He came out to bat at No. 8 with his team in control. Choudhary went after left-arm spinner Limar Dabi, clearing the boundary with every delivery of the over before smashing the first two balls of the following one as well.

His explosive cameo resulted in the fastest fifty ever recorded in first-class cricket, reaching the milestone in just 11 balls, and he eventually remained unbeaten on 50. The knock added him to elite company alongside cricket greats Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri, the only other players to have struck six consecutive sixes in a first-class over. Unfortunately, even after this exceptional record and part of 6 ball 6 six record list, he wasn't selected in the list of uncapped players for the IPL Auction 2026.

Why is Akash Choudhary Not in IPL Auction?

Akash Choudhary IPL Auction dream has been shattered as his name won't go under the hammer at the auction. Despite his splendid record in the recent Ranji Trophy, he wasn't selected among the list of uncapped Indians to feature in the IPL Auction 2026. Akash Choudhary’s absence from the IPL auction pool isn’t linked to one specific reason but rather a mix of factors.

His sensational Ranji Trophy innings, where he smashed eight consecutive sixes and brought up an 11-ball fifty, certainly drew nationwide attention, but it came in a Plate Group game against Arunanchal Pradesh, and that might not have been enough for the IPL scouts to bring him in the IPL, where the level of competition is of the toughest order and the pressure is just massive.

Since the knock didn’t occur in a recognised T20 tournament, and the scouting team might view his record as a kind of rare event rather than proof of consistency in the T20 format as his records in the shortest format isn't that impressive with a strike rate less than 100 and batting average close to just 11 and even with the ball, his performance has been average.

The challenge for him is his current status as a lower-order batter and right-arm medium pacer. Despite his hitting, he has limited experience and statistical backing in major T20 platforms like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where most IPL selections are influenced.

Auction decisions also depend on fitness, role clarity, and team balance, and franchises often prefer players who have already proven themselves in pressure-filled T20 environments. Akash Choudhary’s potential is clear, but he needs some more consistent performances in the T20 format for teams to notice him, resulting in a potential IPL opportunity.

Top Uncapped Players to Watch Out In IPL Auction 2026

A bunch of uncapped Indian players have emerged as genuine contenders ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, with several of them showing their worth through standout domestic performances. In the bowling department, pacers like Auqib Nabi and Ashok Sharma have impressed scouts with their ability to strike regularly.

On the batting front, aggressive hitters such as Kartik Sharma and Tushar Raheja have caught attention with their high strike rates and consistent finishing roles in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making them ideal additions for teams seeking a finisher. Adding to the group is Arshad Khan, whose remarkable six-wicket haul in SMAT has put him into the spotlight, showing his value as a left-arm seamer.

Beyond domestic competitions, uncapped players who’ve gained experience in overseas leagues, like Nikhil Chaudhary, are also being viewed as promising picks due to their exposure to other T20 leagues around the world.