Top 5 Ranji Trophy 2025 Players To Watch Out For in IPL 2026 Auction

The IPL 2026 auction is expected to take place in mid-December, with December 15 or 16 as the most probable dates according to recent reports. The team retention deadline has been set for November 15, after which all released players will enter the auction pool. This will be a mini auction, meaning most franchises will make subtle additions to their squads, and a few domestic players will also be on the radar of the franchises, opening the door for many fresh faces to make their IPL debut.

These days, scouting teams and franchise analysts rely on Ranji Trophy performances to identify uncapped potential, so several standout domestic players might be closely monitored. Let's have a look at the top 5 Ranji Trophy players who might go under the hammer in the IPL 2026 auction.

Ranji Trophy 2025 Top Players in IPL 2026 Auction

As the IPL 2026 Auction approaches, several standout performers from the Ranji Trophy are emerging as potentials who could earn their big break in the league. Among the IPL 2026 auction picks, Mumbai’s Prithvi Shaw has reclaimed his form with a strong comeback playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, while Auqib Nabi from Jammu & Kashmir has impressed as a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder.

Uday Saharan, Punjab’s technically sound top-order batter and former U-19 captain, might get a chance to be in the pool of players at the auction table. Akash Choudhary from Meghalaya recently smashed 8 sixes in 8 balls in a Ranji Trophy clash and could be a reliable all-round option who might be on the radar of IPL scouts, and Mumbai’s Shams Mulani, one of India’s most consistent domestic all-rounders, offers dependable left-arm spin and depth with the bat.

5. Shami Mulani | Mumbai

Shams Mulani is shaping up to be a strong contender for the IPL 2026 auction. The left-arm spinner from Mumbai has been a standout all-rounder, contributing both with the ball and the bat. Over the past few seasons, he has taken over 170 first-class wickets and scored more than 1,200 runs.

In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season alone, Shams Mulani picked up 44 wickets and added 365 runs. What makes him particularly appealing for IPL teams is his versatility as a left-arm spinner and his lower-order batting skills.

4. Akash Choudhary | Meghalaya

The Meghalaya all-rounder, Akash Choudhary, could be one of the most exciting prospects for the IPL 2026 auction. He made headlines in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy Plate Group when he smashed a half-century in just 11 balls, hitting eight consecutive sixes, the fastest fifty in first-class cricket history. He achieved it while batting at number eight.

Choudhary is primarily a right-arm medium-fast bowler, which adds another dimension to his game. He can contribute with the ball and the bat, making him an option for teams looking to strengthen both their bowling attack and lower-order hitting.

3. Uday Saharan | Punjab

Uday Saharan is a promising name for the IPL 2026 auction because of his consistent performances and leadership qualities. The 21-year-old, who captained India’s Under-19 team to the final of the 2024 U19 World Cup, scored 397 runs in the tournament, finishing as the highest scorer.

In the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, Uday Saharan made an impact for Punjab. In just his third first-class match, and his debut as captain, he scored an unbeaten 117 to lead his team to an eight-wicket victory.

While he may not yet be a power-hitting specialist, his technically sound batting can make him a prospect for teams looking for an uncapped Indian to anchor the innings around a bunch of power hitters, and he has all the abilities to become one of the best batsman in IPL.

2. Auqib Nabi | Jammu & Kashmir

J&K all-rounder Auqib Nabi has made a name for himself in domestic cricket with his consistent wicket-taking ability. In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, he took 44 wickets in 8 matches at an impressive average of just under 14, and was one of the top fast bowlers in the country. He also created history in the Duleep Trophy by becoming the first player to take four wickets in four consecutive balls.

Nabi becomes especially attractive for IPL teams because of his skill with the new ball. He can swing it both ways and generate movement. He can become one of the best bowlers in IPL in the future. Additionally, he has shown some ability with the bat in the lower order.

1. Prithvi Shaw | Mumbai

Prithvi Shaw has a strong chance to be among the top IPL 2026 auction picks. After moving from Mumbai to Maharashtra for the 2025–26 domestic season, Shaw has made a strong comeback. Shaw scored a century off just 72 balls in his second match for Mumbai, and then converted it into a 222-run innings off 156 deliveries, the second-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history.

Prithvi Shaw's appeal is very evident as a top-order batter; he can provide quick starts and take the charge against bowlers in the powerplay. He also brings experience despite his young age, having scored around 5000 first-class runs at an average of 47.