Just a few days left! Team India will soon play their first Test match against Australia, while the IPL 2025 mega auction will be taking place. The first Test match is scheduled from November 22 to 26, and the auction will be held on November 24 and 25. Fans across the country are eagerly waiting for this event, and discussions are already underway among pundits and former cricketers.
This time, more than twice as many Indian uncapped players (players not yet representing the national team) will enter the auction compared to the previous one. Many young talents are catching the eye of franchise teams. As the BCCi invented new rules, those who have not played for the India team for more than 5 years are classified as uncapped players. For that reason, Indian legend wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is categorized as an uncapped player. That’s why the Chennai franchise retains Dhoni for the upcoming season for only 4 crores. Here, we tell you about five such Indian players who could fetch more than five crores this time.
1. Nehal Wadhera
Nehal Wadhera is an aggressive left-handed batter from Punjab. He has represented the Punjab state in domestic cricket. Although he joined Mumbai Indians last year, his season did not go as expected. He could not even touch the double-digit mark in the first three matches.
However, in the 2023 season, he impressed everyone with his talent. Nehal showcased his ability to hit big shots in the middle order. He batted brilliantly for Punjab in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Teams are now looking for his batting style in the middle order, as he can turn the game around. Nehal became a player who could fetch more than Rs 5 crore.
2. Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma was one of the few positives for Punjab Kings last season. Known for his aggressive batting, Ashutosh has often turned matches around for his team, coming in lower down the order when the situation seemed dire. In his very first IPL season, he scored 189 runs in 11 matches, with a best score of 61 runs. His strike rate of 167.26 highlights his ability to score quick runs. Last year, Punjab bought him for a base price of Rs 20 lakh. However, if he crosses five crores in this year’s mega auction, it wouldn’t be surprising.
3. Kumar Kushagra
When Delhi Capitals bought 20-year-old Jharkhandi wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra for Rs 7.20 crore in the mini auction this year, it took everyone by surprise. Known for his aggressive batting, Kushagra made a name for himself in 2022 when he became the sixth-youngest player to score 200 or more runs at the age of 17.
Although he had a disappointing season with Delhi last year, scoring only 3 runs in 4 matches, all franchises recognize his potential. In a recent Ranji Trophy match against Delhi on November 16, Kumar Kushagra scored 156 runs, hitting 17 fours and 5 sixes off 188 balls. This impressive performance sent a strong message to all franchises ahead of the mega auction. He is another player who could easily fetch more than five crores this time.
4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi
The twenty-year-old batter of KKR was bought by KKR in the mini auction this year at a base price of Rs 20 lakh. This year in IPL, he scored 163 runs in ten matches at an average of 23.29.
Angkrish’s average was 23.29 and his best score was 54, which was only one half-century, but this young batsman’s maturity beyond his age, strike rate of 155.24 and adventurous shots made many teams and veterans his admirers. Angkrish is also one such Indian uncapped young player, whose price can go above five crores this time.
5. Anshul Kamboj
The Haryana powerplay specialist is emerging as a strong RTM (Right to Match) candidate. The young seamer impressed in IPL 2024 with his ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl tight lines. Recently, he grabbed attention by taking a 10-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy and has also joined the India A team. By easing the pressure on Jasprit Bumrah in the early overs, Kamboj could be a valuable addition to MI’s bowling attack.