IPL 2026 mini-auction kicks off on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, drawing global attention with 350 shortlisted players vying for 77 slots across 10 franchises. This one-day event features a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore, spotlighting uncapped talents amid strategic team rebuilds post-November retentions. Among the buzz, five teenage prodigies aged 18 stand out, blending raw pace, spin wizardry, explosive batting, and all-round promise to potentially ignite T20 futures.
Top 5 youngest cricketers heading to the auction table
- Wahidullah Zadran (born November 15, 2007)
Wahidullah Zadran, at 18 years and 31 days, headlines as the youngest bidder with his right-arm off-spin at a ₹30 lakh base price. His T20 ledger boasts 22 wickets across 16 outings at an economy of 6.39, including ILT20 stints for Gulf Giants where he snared two scalps. Currently shining in the U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai, Zadran dominated Youth ODIs against Bangladesh with 11 wickets in four games, marking him as Afghanistan‘s top youth strike bowler.
- Sahil Parakh (born June 7, 2007)
Sahil Parakh, 18 years and 192 days old, offers left-handed opening fireworks from Maharashtra at ₹30 lakh. He amassed 202 runs in eight Maharashtra Premier League matches at a 177.19 strike rate, powering Eagle Nashik Titans to glory. Despite modest Syed Mushtaq Ali scores of 18 and 6 on senior debut, his unbeaten 109 off 75 balls against Australia U-19 underscores powerplay dominance.
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- R.S. Ambrish (born May 28, 2007)
R.S. Ambrish, turning 18 years and 202 days (born May 28, 2007), brings left-handed batting and right-arm medium pace from Tamil Nadu for ₹30 lakh. In two Ranji Trophy games, he tallied 43 runs including a top score of 28, plus two wickets at 3.43 economy. Youth stats dazzle with 125 runs at 31.25 average and 10 wickets in eight Youth ODIs, alongside a 29 batting average and six scalps in three Youth Tests.
- Bayanda Majola (born January 8, 2007)
Bayanda Majola, 18 years and 342 days, unleashes right-arm fast bowling at ₹30 lakh base, backed by Pretoria Capitals‘ SA20 faith. His U-19 haul includes 14 wickets in seven matches at 4.45 economy, plus a senior debut 2/56 for South Africa Emerging Players. Selected for the 2026 U-19 World Cup, Majola eyes IPL breakthroughs despite limited T20 senior exposure.
- Vihaan Malhotra (born January 1, 2007)
Vihaan Malhotra, 18 years and 349 days, idolizes Shubman Gill as Punjab’s left-handed opener listed at ₹30 lakh. On England‘s youth tour, he piled 243 runs in five Youth ODIs (third-highest) and 277 in four Youth Test innings (second-top). Vice-captain at the ongoing U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai, Malhotra awaits senior debut but promises IPL stability.
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