IPL 2026 Auction: 5 Wicketkeepers Who Could Command Big Bucks

New Delhi: With the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled for 16th December in Abu Dhabi, the fate of nearly 40 wicketkeeper-batsmen will be decided. Out of 1,390 players who registered for the auction, 359 have been shortlisted, including a mix of international stars and promising uncapped Indian talent. Every IPL team requires at least two wicketkeepers, making this category highly competitive. Here’s a look at five wicketkeepers who could fetch significant money in the upcoming auction:

1. Kartik Sharma

The 19-year-old Rajasthan-based Kartik Sharma has played 11 T20 matches, scoring 334 runs at an average of 30 with a strike rate of 163. In List A cricket, his strike rate stands at 118. Kartik is seen as a potential finisher for any IPL team, capable of handling high-pressure situations.

2. Ben Duckett

England’s explosive opener Ben Duckett is also a wicketkeeper. He has scored 5,397 runs in 216 T20 matches, maintaining a strike rate of 140. For England in T20 Internationals, he has an impressive strike rate of 154, making him a sought-after asset for any franchise.

3. Ruchit Ahir

Though Ruchit Ahir of Saurashtra is relatively unknown in domestic cricket, his stats are impressive. In 12 T20 matches, he has scored 492 runs at an average of 41, with a strike rate of 169 and has hit multiple fifties. Known for his attacking style, he hits more sixes than fours.

4. Jamie Smith

England’s Jamie Smith has made a mark in international cricket. In 5 T20Is, he boasts a phenomenal strike rate of 194. Across 97 T20 matches, he has scored 1,687 runs at a strike rate of 144, making him a potential game-changer for any team.

5. Vansh Bedi

Vansh Bedi, 22, was part of Chennai Super Kings in the last IPL season but missed games due to injury. In the Delhi Premier League, he scored 187 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 187, showing his capability as a hard-hitting middle-order batsman.

With such talent in the fray, the wicketkeeper slot in IPL 2026 is set to witness huge bidding wars.