The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the pinnacle of T20 franchise cricket, an annual carnival that captivates millions and serves as a massive financial and professional stepping stone for players across the globe. As the anticipation builds for the IPL 2026 mini-auction, the focus is sharply turning toward the reservoir of untapped and promising talent emerging from India’s domestic circuits.
The road to IPL 2026: Domestic stars in SMAT 2025 eyeing the mini-auction spotlight
This auction, set to be a strategic battleground for all ten franchises, will not only see established international stars go under the hammer but will also provide a life-changing opportunity for many uncapped domestic cricketers. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s premier inter-state T20 tournament, has once again been a crucial proving ground.
The ongoing SMAT 2025 season has been a showcase of exceptional performances, with several players delivering career-defining spells and explosive innings that have undoubtedly caught the keen eye of IPL scouts and team think tanks. For franchises looking to plug specific gaps, bolster their Indian core, or simply invest in the future, the high-octane T20 performances in the SMAT are the ultimate litmus test. The following five domestic players, based on their stellar run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 and overall domestic pedigree, are poised to attract significant bids, transforming them from domestic heroes into potential IPL millionaires.
5 Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy players who can bag major deals in the IPL 2026 mini-auction
1. Auqib Nabi Dar: The express pacer from Jammu & Kashmir
Auqib Nabi Dar is an aggressive, genuine fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir known for his consistent wicket-taking ability and raw pace, which is a rare and highly sought-after commodity in the IPL. His excellent run in the SMAT 2025, coupled with an impressive red-ball record, has positioned him as one of the top Indian fast-bowling prospects on the auction list.
- SMAT 2025 Performance: Dar has been a standout performer, taking 15 wickets in five matches with an impressive average of 13.26 and an economy rate of 7.41. His best figure was 4/16 against Bihar.
- Best Domestic Performance: Beyond SMAT, he finished as the second leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with 29 wickets, showcasing his endurance and class across formats.
- IPL History: He is an uncapped player and has never played in an IPL match. Crucially, he was a net bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and has recently attended trials with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the auction, indicating strong franchise interest.
- Base Price: His base price is officially listed at ₹30 Lakh.
Auqib Nabi, who’s rumoured to be on MI’s radar after being spotted in MI trials, might also attract interest from 3 Time Champions KKR, since he used to be KKR’s net bowler in the past. pic.twitter.com/oj49AJWdDI
— Knights Den (@aknightsden) November 23, 2025
2. Kartik Sharma: The hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batter
Kartik Sharma is a young, explosive wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, highly rated for his high-impact, big-hitting ability in the middle order. His aggressive intent and phenomenal strike rate, particularly against pace, make him the kind of dynamic Indian finisher every IPL team seeks.
- SMAT 2025 Performance: His performances in the current domestic season are highly consistent. In his short T20 career, he has amassed 334 runs in 12 T20s at an exceptional strike rate of 164.58, establishing his reputation as a power hitter.
- Best Domestic Performance: He has made headlines in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, scoring two centuries, including a stunning knock against Mumbai, which proves his batting temperament across formats.
- IPL History: He is an uncapped player. He was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp during IPL 2025 and recently spotted in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camps ahead of 2026 mini-auction and has attended closed-door IPL trials with several franchises, signaling that teams like CSK and KKR view him as a potential future core player.
- Base Price: His base price is officially listed at ₹30 Lakh.
Kartik Sharma and Ashok Sharma here at RCB Trials in Navi Mumbai ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/PeZ2lIIBSH
— CHIKU JI❤️ (@MaticKohli251) December 9, 2025
3. Manisankar Murasingh: Tripura’s all-round hero
Manisankar Murasingh is a veteran all-rounder for Tripura who finally burst into the national spotlight with an outstanding SMAT 2025 campaign. He is a genuine dual-threat, capable of scoring quick runs in the middle/lower order and delivering crucial overs with his medium-fast bowling. He won the prestigious Lala Amarnath Award by BCCI in 2024.
- SMAT 2025 Performance: He finished the group stage with a spectacular all-round display: 277 runs (10th best in the group stage) at an average of 46.16 and a fiery strike rate of 172.04. With the ball, he took 5 wickets at an excellent economy of 7.6.
- Best Domestic Performance: His defining moment was the all-round show against domestic giants Karnataka, where he first delivered impressive bowling figures of 2/30 and then smashed a match-tying 69 off 35 balls to force a Super Over win.
- IPL History: He is an uncapped player and has never played for an IPL team, despite consistent domestic performances, leading to calls for his inclusion in the league. However he was one off the bowler for Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2024.
- Base Price: His base price is likely to be ₹30 Lakh (Expected for a proven domestic all-rounder).
4. Ashok Sharma: The Rajasthan pace sensation
Ashok Sharma is a right-arm medium-fast bowler from Rajasthan who has been arguably the most effective pacer in the SMAT 2025 tournament. Known for his ability to generate bounce and take wickets with the new ball and in the middle overs, he is a ready-made option for any franchise seeking Indian pace depth.
- SMAT 2025 Performance: Sharma was one of the top wicket-takers in the tournament, bagging 19 wickets in seven matches for Rajasthan, which included two 4-wicket hauls and two 3-wicket hauls.
- Best Domestic Performance: His sensational run in the SMAT 2025, where he played a key role in Rajasthan’s strong group stage showing, is his best T20 performance to date, confirming his transition from a promising talent to a match-winner.
- IPL History: He is currently listed as an uncapped player in the same category as the others. He was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022 for ₹55 Lakh and was bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2025 for ₹30 Lakh. He was recently released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2026 auction.
- Base Price: His base price is officially listed at ₹30 Lakh.
Ashok Sharma, with 19 wickets in just 7 SMAT matches this season, attended the RCB trials. pic.twitter.com/EXWfzD6rWp
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) December 9, 2025
5. Raj Limbani: The U-19 World Cup and SMAT star
Raj Limbani is a promising young right-arm medium pacer from Baroda, best known for his solid performance in the U-19 World Cup. He is an investment in the future, offering good control, the ability to swing the ball, and consistency that belies his age.
- SMAT 2025 Performance: He has been a consistent wicket-taker for Baroda. His recent bowling figures include 3/5 against Gujarat and 3/36 against Punjab and 3/39 vs Services, demonstrating his ability to be destructive in short bursts. He also contributed a quickfire 7(2) with the bat vs Puducherry.
- Best Domestic Performance: His standout display for Baroda in SMAT 2025, including a match-winning spell against Puducherry, on the back of his controlled bowling at the U-19 World Cup 2024, makes him a hot prospect.
- IPL History: He is an uncapped player and has never played for an IPL team. He is among the young players with international exposure (U-19) often targeted by franchises for long-term development. He was the net bowler for Gujarat Titans (GT) during IPL 2024.
- Base Price: His base price is officially listed at ₹30 Lakh.
So, Raj Limbani is with Gujarat Titans. #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/JnvGXQBJCj
— Varun Giri (@Varungiri0) April 19, 2024
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Players with highest base price of INR 2 crore – Cameron Green to Venkatesh Iyer
