Chandigarh, Dec 16 — Chennai Super Kings made a major investment in youth at the IPL 2026 auction, signing uncapped all-rounder Prashant Veer for ₹14.20 crore, the highest price paid for an uncapped player at the event.
Veer, 20, entered the auction with a base price of ₹30 lakh and quickly drew a bidding war before CSK secured his services. The Uttar Pradesh cricketer has risen rapidly through domestic ranks on the back of match-winning performances in age-group and senior tournaments.
A right-handed batter and a spin-bowling all-rounder, Veer played a key role in Uttar Pradesh’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title win in 2025. In the final against Jammu and Kashmir, he took three wickets and smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 10 balls.
“He has the ability to change a game with both bat and ball,” a Uttar Pradesh team official said. “That’s what franchises look for in short formats.”
Veer has also impressed in limited opportunities at the domestic level. In the 2023 BCCI Under-23 One-Day Tournament, he picked up three wickets to help Uttar Pradesh beat Andhra Pradesh by 95 runs.
CSK officials have not commented on how soon Veer could feature in the playing XI, but the franchise’s aggressive bid signaled strong belief in his long-term potential.
