EIGHT cricketers from Vidarbha will go under the hammer at the upcoming auction for the IPL 2026 to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16. Three Vidarbha players including Shubham Dubey, Yash Thakur and Harsh Dubey have been retained by their respective franchises. A total of 1390 players registered for the auction, out of which 350 players were shortlisted; 240 Indian and 110 are overseas recruits. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year’s auction roster. Franchises will compete for 77 available slots overall, including 31 spots reserved for overseas players.

 

RETAINED PLAYERS SHUBHAM DUBEY (31 yrs), Rajasthan Royals

 SHUBHAM Dubey performed his role as an Impact Player quite nicely after being picked up at the auction by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs 80 lakh. He played nine matches for RR, making 106 runs at a strike-rate of 160.60. His highest score was an unbeaten 34 off just 11 balls with four sixes and a boundary against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has been retained by his franchise.

 

YASH THAKUR (26 yrs) (Punjab Kings)

 

VIDARBHA pacer Yash Thakur was taken on board by the Punjab Kings for Rs 1.60 crore at the IPL auction. He played only two matches, both as an Impact Player. The highlight was the last over he bowled against CSK when they needed 28 runs for victory. Thakur dismissed MS Dhoni with his first ball and conceded only nine runs as Punjab Kings won by 18 runs. He has been retained by the franchise.

 

HARSH DUBEY (23 yrs) (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

 

VIDARBHA left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy, went unsold at last year’s IPL auction. However, he joined the Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 30 lakh as a late injury replacement for R Smaran. He played three matches, two of them as Impact Player for SRH, taking five wickets at an economy rate of 9.8. His best figures were 3-34 against KKR and impressed with his all-round skills. SRH retained him. 

 

ON AUCTION LIST UMESH YADAV (38 yrs)

 

Capped (Price 1.5 cr) THE former India pacer, who has regained his fitness and bowled well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will be hoping to be back in the IPL fold on the strength of his vast experience.

 

ATHARVA TAIDE (25 yrs) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh)

 

THE Vidarbha opener was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad at his base price of Rs 30 lakh last season. He only played one match as an Impact Player, scoring 13 runs against Lucknow Super Giants. Released by the franchise, Taide, who scored 180 runs at a strike rate of 142.86 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will be hoping that his hard-hitting style will appeal to the franchises at the auction.

 

DARSHAN NALKANDE (27) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh) 

 

THE Vidarbha all-rounder was picked up by Delhi Capitals at his base price of Rs 30 lakh last season, but didn’t get to play a single game. Released by the franchise, Nalkande, who picked up eight wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy at an economy rate of 10.42, will be hoping that his all-round skills will appeal at the auction. DANISH MALEWAR (22 yrs) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh) VIDARBHA’S most promising batsman, who caught the eye of the national selectors by amassing 783 runs, averaging 52.20 in the Ranji Trophy last season, lived up to his promise in the Duleep Trophy with scores of 203*, 76 and 53 (in final). He was also the Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition of the VPTL 2025. He is fit again after missing the start of the new season with an injury and will be looking to make his IPL debut in 2026.

 

PARTH REKHADE (26 yrs) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh) 

 

THE Vidarbha all-rounder, who made his First-Class debut last season, has been a regular in both red and white ball cricket. His all-round-skills should appeal to franchises at the auction.

 

PRAFUL HINGE (24 yrs) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh)

 

THE tall Vidarbha pacer has been in great form this season, having picked up 15 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He was also impressive in the only Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy match he played against Andhra. He hits the deck hard which should impress the franchises.

 

SHUBHAM KAPSE (31 yrs) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh)

 

HE HAS been waiting in the wings for Vidarbha. The right-arm pacer had a good VPTL 2025 and will be hoping to get lucky.

 

VARUN BISHT (22 yrs) Uncapped (Price Rs 30 lakh)

 

A PROMISING all-rounder, who hits the ball hard and bowls off-spin, he recently made his debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy.