The IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi turned into a life-defining night for Uttar Pradesh’s Prashant Veer, whose meteoric rise in Indian domestic cricket was rewarded with a stunning ₹14.20 crore deal from five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While established international stars like Cameron Green commanded big money, it was the uncapped Indian teenager smashing past the ₹10 crore barrier that truly electrified the auction room.
At the time of the auction, Veer was with his Uttar Pradesh teammates, including Kolkata Knight Riders star Rinku Singh. The group followed the bidding live on their phones, watching in disbelief as Veer’s price soared with every raised paddle. What began as curiosity soon turned into pure astonishment as the numbers climbed into uncharted territory for an uncapped player.
The 19-year-old left-arm spinner, who also bats left-handed, entered the auction with a modest base price of ₹30 lakh. Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians sparked the initial bidding war, rapidly pushing his valuation beyond expectations. Once the price crossed ₹1.20 crore, CSK stepped in decisively, signalling their intent to secure the highly rated all-rounder.
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The contest soon intensified, with Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad joining the fray. The bids escalated at a breathtaking pace, and when SRH raised the paddle at ₹14 crore, it appeared the deal was done. CSK, however, had other plans. Showing trademark composure and conviction, the Chennai franchise returned with a final bid of ₹14.20 crore to land their man.
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A video capturing Veer’s reaction quickly went viral on social media. Sitting on a team bus alongside Rinku Singh, the teenager looked overwhelmed yet beaming as his value skyrocketed. When Rinku asked how he felt, Veer’s simple response — “Maza aa raha hai bhaiya” — perfectly captured the surreal moment.
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Veer’s numbers justify the excitement. In nine domestic T20 matches, he has scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 167.16 and claimed 12 wickets. His rare combination of left-arm spin and explosive lower-order hitting makes him a prized asset in the modern T20 game.
CSK reportedly view Veer as a long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja, underlining their commitment to grooming young talent. With MS Dhoni’s mentorship, Veer now has the ideal platform to refine his game and make a lasting impact at the highest level.
