The IPL 2026 mini auction It provided the usual mix of surprises in Abu Dhabi, but perhaps the most talked-about story was the high-stakes chess match played in between. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) CEO, Kavya Maranand strategic team Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Maran’s aggressive, almost calculated counter-bidding, bidding against two special players forced CSK to shell out a record-breaking ₹28.40 crore for their target, effectively draining a significant portion of their existing auction purse.
The million-dollar duo without a head
The focus of the financial slugfest was the acquisition of two promising, unfulfilled Indian talents – Prashant Veer (All-rounder/Left arm Spinner) and Karthik Sharma (Gatekeeper-Architect).
CSK was determined to secure both players, seeing them as an integral part of their long-term vision to build their youth core. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad were equally determined to make it pay.
Prashant Veer bidding war
For Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin bowling all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, the offer was the first sign of an impending financial storm. Starting from a modest base price, the bids quickly crossed the ₹5 crore mark. When CSK came into the fray, SRH (led by Kavya Maran) went toe to toe with them and pushed the price relentlessly.
SRH’s continued rise forced the Super Kings to dig deep and eventually sealed the deal for a staggering ₹ 14.20 crore. The offer instantly broke the record for the most expensive player in IPL history.
Echo of Kartik Sharma
The déjà vu was palpable when Rajasthani wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik Sharma went under the hammer. Once again, after initial interest from other franchises (including KKR and LSG), CSK have shown their intentions. Following their proven strategy, SRH made a late splash by driving up the price with operational precision.
The competition ended with CSK securing Kartik Sharma for the same amount: ₹14.20 crore. In a single auction, CSK spent ₹28.40 crore on two domestic players, making Veer and Sharma joint holders of the all-time uncapped player record.
Kavya Mara’s psychological warfare in the auction room
Mara’s bid for the two players stood out as a masterclass in auction day strategy. Representing SRH, a franchise known for its keen auction instincts, Maran has ably identified CSK’s urgency to secure versatile Indian talent, particularly the need to plan for his long-term replacement. Ravindra Jadeja After moving to Rajasthan Royals. By deliberately bidding well beyond the players’ real market value and then walking away at the right moment, Maran ensured CSK paid the premium. The move didn’t just disrupt CSK’s plans; it dented their purse strings significantly, limited their flexibility later in the auction and highlighted SRH’s tactical brilliance under Mara.
