The Indian Premier League has gifted world cricket a succession of exceptional star cricketers. There are numerous players who have carved out a distinct identity for themselves through the IPL. Speaking of the previous season, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi and 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre were two such players who gained global recognition thanks to the IPL. Now, in the 2026 season of the IPL as well, certain players could once again grab headlines with their spectacular performances.
1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)
At a mere 14 years of age, Suryavanshi is the youngest active player in this league. During the 2025 season, he created a sensation by scoring a century in just 35 balls the second-fastest century in the tournament's history and concluded the season with a total of 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55. The Rajasthan Royals hope that, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, he will continue to provide the team with similarly explosive starts.
2. Kartik Sharma (Chennai Super Kings)
Acquired for a record-breaking ₹14.2 crore, this 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is known for his "turbo-aggressive" style. He topped the list of players with the most sixes in the Ranji Trophy and impressed everyone in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) with a strike rate of 162.92. The CSK management views him as a long-term and impactful player for the middle order.
3. Prashant Veer (Chennai Super Kings)
This 20-year-old all-rounder fetched a whopping sum of ₹14.2 crore, making him the joint-most expensive uncapped player in history. Popularly known by the nickname 'Miller,' this left-arm spinner and power-hitter is being groomed as a direct replacement for Ravindra Jadeja following a major trade. Prior to this, he had dominated the Men's U-23 State A Trophy with an average of 94.00.
4. Mangesh Yadav (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
RCB secured this 23-year-old left-arm pacer for ₹5.20 crore after he won the Emerging Player award in the MP T20 league. Capable of consistently clocking 140 km/h, Yadav is seen as a replacement for Yash Dayal and is expected to provide crucial breakthroughs during middle and death overs.
5. Ayush Mhatre (Chennai Super Kings)
Ayush Mhatre is an 18-year-old opening batsman who led the India U-19 team to victory in the 2026 World Cup. After making his mid-season debut in 2025 as a replacement, he scored 240 runs at a strike rate of 188.98. CSK has retained him to bolster their youth movement; he is likely to open the innings alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad.
6. Mukul Choudhary (Lucknow Super Giants)
Mukul Choudhary has been signed for ₹2.60 crore. LSG coach Justin Langer has heaped praise on this 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, and his goal is to mold him into India's "most dangerous" late-order finisher. He averaged 102.83 in the Under-23 tournament, and he regards MS Dhoni as his idol for his finishing game.
7. Allah Ghazanfar (Mumbai Indians)
Afghanistan's 20 year old mystery spinner, Allah Ghazanfar, missed the 2025 season due to injury but is now fully fit for 2026. He proved his mettle by taking 15 wickets in 13 matches in the ILT20. The MI management hopes to utilize his unique 'carrom-ball' variation as a high-impact overseas option.
Also Read: 3 Players Who Could Replace MS Dhoni in CSK If He Misses IPL 2026
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