Himachal Pradesh News
IPL 2026 Auction : Seven Himachal Cricketers Enter IPL 2026 Auction Pool in Abu Dhabi
Seven cricketers from Himachal Pradesh have been listed for the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the state’s growing presence in India’s premier T20 league.
Seven players from the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) have been shortlisted for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction, scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Their names feature in the list of registered players released on the IPL’s official website.
The HPCA players set to go under the hammer include all-rounders Mayank Dagar, Aryaman Singh Dhaliwal and Mridul Saroch; right-arm fast-medium bowler Arpit Guleria; left-handed batsman Pukhraj Mann; and right-arm fast bowlers Divesh Sharma and Rajat Verma. The base price for all seven players has been fixed at ₹30 lakh.
Among them, Mayank Dagar stands out as the most experienced name, having featured in multiple IPL seasons. He made his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023 and was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2024, following a trade with Punjab Kings, for ₹1.8 crore. His consistent performances have made him one of the most seasoned domestic all-rounders from Himachal Pradesh in this year’s auction pool.
Right-arm pacer Arpit Guleria, a native of Kuthman gram panchayat in Shahpur subdivision of Kangra district, has also had prior IPL exposure. He was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants as a mid-season replacement during the 2023 season after Mayank Yadav was sidelined due to injury. His inclusion this year follows steady performances in domestic cricket.
For the remaining five players—Pukhraj Mann, Divesh Sharma, Rajat Verma, Aryaman Singh Dhaliwal and Mridul Saroch—the auction presents a significant opportunity to secure their maiden IPL contracts. All five have been regular performers in HPCA’s domestic circuit and have featured prominently in state-level competitions.
Sanjay Sharma, Director of HPCA, said the presence of seven Himachal players in the IPL auction reflects the state’s expanding cricketing footprint. He credited improved infrastructure, greater competitive exposure and focused player development programmes for the steady rise of talent from the region.
