Indian domestic cricket found a new star at the IPL 2026 auction on Tuesday. Prashant Veer, a name largely unfamiliar to fans a few months ago, stunned everyone after his price jumped from a base of Rs 30 lakh to a massive Rs 14.20 crore. The Uttar Pradesh all-rounder became one of the biggest talking points of the auction, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) eventually winning the fierce bidding war.
CSK faced competition from Rajasthan Royals early in the auction, while Sunrisers Hyderabad made a strong late push. Despite the pressure, the five-time champions held their nerve and secured Veer for Rs 14.20 crore, marking a staggering 47-fold rise in his valuation.
Veer’s rise has been firmly built on his domestic performances. The 20-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder first caught attention in the UP T20 League while playing for Noida Super Kings. His ability to influence matches with both bat and ball made him stand out in a competitive tournament.
He carried that form into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. Despite a tight schedule that required him to travel frequently between Mumbai and Kolkata, Veer played six matches in just seven days, showing strong fitness and mental toughness. During this stretch, he scored 112 runs at an impressive strike rate of 170, highlighting his power-hitting ability. With the ball, he picked up nine wickets while maintaining a tight economy rate of 6.76.
Chennai Super Kings’ interest in Veer was part of a clear long-term plan. The franchise had invited him for trials earlier, seeing him as a potential future replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, one of the IPL’s greatest all-rounders. Veer’s skill set closely matches that role—left-arm spin, late-order hitting, sharp fielding, and a calm approach in pressure situations.
At just 20, CSK believe they have invested not only in immediate depth but in a player who could become a key part of the team for many years to come.