In the IPL 2026 auction, amidst a downpour of millions, record-breaking moments, and big names, two narratives stood out, tugging at the heartstrings. Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan — once considered the future of Indian cricket — found themselves unsold at the beginning of the auction... However, who can stop fate from making the final move at the IPL table?
Prithvi Shaw: From Heartbreak to Redemption
Prithvi Shaw's journey was the most dramatic. Despite his name cropping up twice for a base price of 7.5 million, no buyers were found. Disappointment was becoming evident. During the auction, he took to social media with a broken heart emoji, saying 'It’s OK', seemingly accepting that this time the doors had closed on him.
...But in mere minutes, the story changed. In the accelerated round, Delhi Capitals — the team for which Shaw played from 2018 to 2024 — brought him back for 7.5 million. Shaw quickly removed his previous post and shared DC's welcome graphic, writing, 'Back to my family.' It wasn't just a purchase; it was a homecoming.
Source: aajtak
At 26, Shaw has been in superb form in the recent domestic season. He made headlines with the second-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history, completing it in just 141 balls. In the history of the Ranji Trophy, excluding matches in the plate group, this is the second-fastest double century. Only Ravi Shastri had achieved this remarkable feat with 123 balls against Baroda in the 1984-85 season.
This feat with the bat proves that Shaw's bat still speaks volumes. Wearing the Maharashtra jersey instead of Mumbai, he has reinvented himself... and now the IPL could be his gateway to international cricket once again.
Sarfaraz Khan: Reward for Patience
Sarfaraz Khan's story is no less emotional. A run machine in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz remained unsold in the main round. Surprisingly, just an hour before the auction, he had smashed 73 runs off 22 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – yet, drew no bids.
However, the accelerated round saw Chennai Super Kings sign him for 7.5 million. With MS Dhoni present, for Sarfaraz, this is not just a chance but a platform — a place where his aggressive batting balanced with maturity can shine.
Amidst the Clamor for Millions, the Loudest Echoes
The auction saw other records being shattered — a 252 million bid for Cameron Green, 180 million for Matheesha Pathirana, and unrestrained spending on uncapped Indians. Yet amidst all this, the late entries of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were the most memorable.
