47.3x jump each: Why CSK broke the bank to make Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer IPL’s priciest uncapped buys

Chennai Super Kings made history at the IPL 2026 auction in Dubai on Tuesday, snapping up uncapped players Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for Rs. 14.20 crore each, making them the joint-most expensive uncapped players in IPL history.

Both signings point to a clear strategy: replacing key skills lost in recent churn while investing in long-term Indian core players.

Prashant’s rise has been swift and hard to miss.
| Photo Credit:
IG/prashant_ritik12

Prashant’s rise has been swift and hard to miss.
| Photo Credit:
IG/prashant_ritik12

Why CSK signed Prashant Veer: Jadeja succession and spin depth

First spotted while representing Noida Super Kings in the UP T20 League, the 20-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder has emerged as one of the most intriguing young prospects in the domestic circuit.

Veer has impressed during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, combining control with wicket-taking ability. His recent workload underlined his fitness and adaptability. Veer was among two players who criss-crossed between Mumbai and Kolkata, playing six matches in seven days across the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Uttar Pradesh’s Under-23 fixtures. He finished that stretch with 112 runs at a strike rate of 170 and nine wickets at an economy of 6.76.

With Ravindra Jadeja no longer part of the squad, CSK is clearly eyeing Veer as a long-term investment in the same mould. A left-arm spinner who can bat with intent fits neatly into CSK’s traditional preference for multi-dimensional Indian all-rounders who can be developed over time at Chepauk.

Kartik Sharma will likely be used in Chennai Super Kings’ lower-order.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI

Kartik Sharma will likely be used in Chennai Super Kings’ lower-order.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI

Why CSK signed Kartik Sharma: fixing the death-overs batting gap

Wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma has drawn attention for his explosive lower-order hitting in domestic white-ball cricket. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy league stage, he scored 133 runs in five matches at a strike rate of over 160. Across his short T20 career of 12 matches, he has consistently operated at a strike rate north of 160.

That skill set explains the fierce bidding. Mumbai Indians opened the bidding at Kartik’s base price of Rs. 30 lakh before Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants took control as the contest surged past Rs. 5 crore. CSK then went head-to-head with KKR, pushing the price sharply higher, while Sunrisers Hyderabad made a late attempt. CSK eventually prevailed, landing the 19-year-old for Rs. 14.20 crore.

The Rajasthan wicketkeeper will feature in the IPL for the first time, and CSK will be looking at him primarily as a lower-order accelerator. With Jadeja and Sam Curran both gone, CSK has a clear need for Indian batters who can score quickly in the death overs without relying heavily on overseas slots.

Final takeaway

While Veer addresses CSK’s long-term spin and all-round depth, while Kartik fills an immediate tactical gap in finishing power. Together, the two signings reflect CSK’s willingness to spend big on Indian players who fit specific roles rather than marquee names alone. It also continues recent trend of CSK investing on young, emerging players, seen with its previous acquisitions of Ayush Mhatre (bought in as replacement) and Sameer Rizvi.

Published on Dec 16, 2025