Prashant Veer has officially etched his name into Indian Premier League (IPL) history as the joint most expensive uncapped player ever, a feat achieved during the high-octane 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. At just 20 years old, the Uttar Pradesh sensation was signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a staggering ₹14.20 croreserving as the strategic replacement for the legendary Ravindra Jadeja.
IPL 2026: CSK’s replacement for Ravindra Jadeja in form of Prashant Veer
A dynamic left-arm orthodox spinner and a ferocious lower-order batter, Veer mirrors Jadeja’s multi-dimensional skill set that CSK has relied upon for over a decade. His meteoric rise follows a breakout season in the UP T20 League where his ‘spark’ caught the eye of MS Dhoni and the CSK scouts. Standing at the threshold of greatness, he carries the heavy tag of being the “new Jadeja” for a franchise in deep transition.
Beyond his technical prowess, he is known for his lightning-quick reflexes in the field, making him a complete 3D package. For CSK, this investment isn’t just about a single season; it’s about securing the next decade of their spin-bowling all-round core. His journey from the dusty lanes of Amethi to the yellow jersey of Chennai is nothing short of a cricketing fairytale.
IPL 2026: The historic ₹14.20 crore bidding war for uncapped player Prashant Veer
The auction room in Abu Dhabi crackled with electricity the moment Prashant Veer’s name was announced at a modest base price of ₹30 lakh. The initial skirmish broke out between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giantswho recognized the rare value of a domestic left-arm all-rounder. However, as the bid zoomed past the ₹5 crore mark, the heavyweights stepped in, with Rajasthan Royals, the team that had recently traded for Jadeja, desperate to find a young alternative.
The atmosphere turned into a high-stakes standoff when Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad locked horns in a relentless bidding war that spanned nearly 86 rounds of rapid-fire raising of paddles. Every time the auctioneer looked ready to drop the hammer, a new bid would fly in from the CSK table, led by a determined management team acting on specific trial data. When the price hit ₹14.20 croreSRH finally bowed out, making Veer the joint-most expensive uncapped player in history alongside Kartik Sharma. This massive 47-times jump from his base price signaled CSK’s absolute all-in commitment to their new era.
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Full list of unsold players along with their base price
7 lesser known facts about Prashant Veer
- Birth and Rural Roots: Prashant Ramendra Veer was born on November 24, 2005in the small village of Shahjipurlocated about 13 kilometers from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. His early years were spent playing tennis-ball cricket in local fields, where he was often the youngest but most talented player among older boys.
- The Humble Shiksha Mitra Father: His father, Ramendra Veerworks as a Shiksha Mitra (contractual primary teacher) earning a modest salary of approximately ₹12,000 per month. Despite the financial constraints, his father prioritized Prashant’s dreams, often stating that he would support his son even if he chose farming over cricket.
- A Mother’s Silent Support: His mother, Anjana Tripathia dedicated housewife, has been the emotional backbone of his journey. Following his record-breaking auction win, the family celebrated by distributing sweets in their village, with his mother expressing that the money is for the family to manage, while Prashant remains focused only on the ball and bat.
- Educational Struggles and Migration: Prashant completed his primary schooling at Bhardwaj Academy and KPS School in Sang Rampur. To pursue cricket seriously, he moved to Mainpuri for a sports hostel, where he passed his 9th and 10th-grade exams, and eventually completed his Intermediate (12th) from Saharanpur in 2025.
- The Saharanpur Transformation: Realizing that cricket in Mainpuri wasn’t competitive enough, he moved to Saharanpur seven years ago under the guidance of coach Rajeev Goyal. When his grandfather, Suryakumar Tripathi (who funded his cricket with his pension), passed away, Prashant nearly quit the sport due to lack of funds, but his coach and local officials stepped in to sponsor his kit and training.
- The ‘Miller’ Moniker and Idolatry: In the UPCA Green Park Academy, he was nicknamed ‘Miller’ (after South African David Miller) by his coach Sunil because he often wore a green jersey and shared a similar explosive hitting style. However, his true idol is Yuvraj Singhand he proudly wears the Jersey Number 12 to honor the Indian legend.
- Statistical Brilliance & Resilience: His rise is backed by workhorse numbers; he once played 6 matches in 7 days across different cities for the UP Under-23 and Senior teams. In the 2025 UP T20 League, he smashed 320 runs (strike rate 155.34) and took 8 wicketswhile in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy league stage, he maintained a lethal strike rate of 170 with his lower-order cameos.
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Complete list of sold players with their price
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