IPL Auction 2026: Five Bowlers Who Could Turn Surprise Big Buys
IPL Auction 2026 preview: From Auqib Nabi and Matheesha Pathirana to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, here are five bowlers who could attract surprise big bids at the auction in Abu Dhabi.
Auqib Nabi, Matheesha Pathirana, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are among the bowlers expected to attract surprise big bids at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi.
Franchises are preparing for very competitive bidding in the IPL 2026 auction which is going to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16. They will be doing so in order to finalize the composition of their teams for the next season. A total of ten teams will be fighting for the 77 open positions, and a maximum of 25 players will be assigned to each team. As in previous years, the market will be very active for top bowlers, particularly ones who fit the T20 mold.
The following players are the ones who may be the mystery star expensive buys during the IPL 2026 auction:
Auqib Nabi
The fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir, Auqib Nabi has become a hot topic in cricket when it comes to domestic players this season. The 29-year-old made news in the Duleep Trophy by dismissing four batsmen in four successive balls against the East Zone. He hasn't stopped his blazing performance during the Ranji Trophy where he has now taken 29 wickets in just five matches.
Nabi has also made his mark in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he accomplished 15 wickets in seven games. His constant performance in all formats has put him again on the IPL franchises' radar which are after a good Indian fast bowler.
Matheesha Pathirana
The young Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is an old hand when it comes to the IPL. The 24-year-old right-arm fast bowler with a peculiar slinging action has been a part of the Chennai Super Kings for four seasons, proving his worth in clutch moments.
Pathirana who has been let go by the CSK due to injury issues before the auction could say goodbye to the guy looking for an experienced foreign fast bowler. In his IPL career, he has taken 47 wickets in 32 matches, with an economy rate of just over eight.
Jacob Duffy
Jacob Duffy, the New Zealand pacer, is going to the auction with a lot of confidence as he is currently no. 2 in the ICC T20I bowling rankings. The right-arm fast bowler had a great year in 2025 with 29 wickets in 16 T20 internationals, including a best of 4/14 in his spell against Pakistan.
Although he has been part of tournaments like the T20 Blast and The Hundred, he has yet to make his IPL debut. If he continues to impress, the franchises looking for a reliable overseas paceman are likely to bid heavily for him.
Ashok Sharma
Rajasthan speedster Ashok Sharma has displayed the finest qualities in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26. The right-arm pacer captured 19 wickets in just seven league games displaying pace, control, and accuracy.
Ashok has been a part of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022 and Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 but has not made his IPL debut so far. His form in domestic cricket, however, could be the pathway for him to the top level now.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
With an experience of 20 IPL matches, the 24-year-old Mujeeb Ur Rahman could be one of the most interesting players in the auction pool. The spinner from Afghanistan, who is commonly known for his mystery spin, took 20 wickets at an average of 8.34 while playing in the IPL.
His vast experience in various T20 leagues around the world and Afghanistan's regular selection could make Mujeeb a very handy player for any team that is looking to beef up their spin resources, probably leading to a bidding war.
These bowlers—who mix form, skill, and T20 suitability—could be among the largest of the auction’s unexpected big buys as franchises are looking to build balanced units.
