Uncapped Indian batter Swastik Chikara went unsold at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, with no franchise showing interest in bidding for the Uttar Pradesh cricketer. Chikara, who was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the 2025 season, did not feature in the final shortlist of players taken up for bidding, effectively putting his IPL journey on pause for now.
The Virat Kohli connection that grabbed attention
Swastik Chikara rose to prominence less for on-field opportunities and more for his off-field presence during IPL 2025. Signed by RCB for Rs 30 lakh in the 2025 mega auction, the young batter did not play a single match but became a viral talking point due to his visible admiration for Virat Kohli.
Fans and social media users frequently referred to Chikara as Kohli’s “shadow,” as he was often seen following the former RCB captain during practice sessions, team activities, and celebrations. Several behind-the-scenes moments featuring the duo gained traction online, turning Chikara into an unexpected social media personality during the season.
One such moment involved light-hearted banter within the RCB camp, where teammate Yash Dayal revealed that Chikara once used perfume from Kohli’s kitbag without asking. Kohli’s amused response — calling Chikara someone who “keeps annoying me” — only added to the meme culture around the youngster.
Learning from a role model
Chikara has openly spoken about looking up to Kohli as a mentor, often referring to him as a “guru” and an elder brother. He has credited Kohli for teaching him discipline, fitness standards, and professional work ethic, even though he never got a chance to showcase his batting in an IPL match.
Why Chikara went unsold at IPL 2026
RCB released Swastik Chikara ahead of the IPL 2026 auction as part of their squad reshuffle and balance strategy. However, his name did not feature among the players shortlisted for active bidding, meaning franchises chose not to consider him during either the initial or accelerated auction rounds.
The absence of IPL match exposure, combined with intense competition among uncapped Indian batters, appears to have worked against him despite his domestic potential.
What lies ahead
While going unsold is a setback, it does not mark the end of Swastik Chikara’s IPL aspirations. Strong domestic performances could bring him back into contention either through future auctions or as a replacement signing during the season.
For now, Chikara remains one of the more talked-about unsold players of IPL 2026 — remembered as much for his proximity to Virat Kohli as for the opportunity still waiting to come.
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