Uncapped IPL Stars Who Deserve Massive Salary Increase in IPL 2026

The 2025 IPL season wasn't just about the big names; it was a showcase for emerging talents who punched well above their weight. Several uncapped players delivered performances that not only turned heads but also made a compelling case for significant pay raises for IPL 2026.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) 

Rajasthan Royals took a bit of a gamble at the 2024 IPL mega-auction, shelling out ₹1.10 crore for a 14-year-old prodigy. Most fans assumed it was a long-term investment—after all, how much could you really expect from a teenager in his first IPL season? But Vaibhav Suryavanshi had other plans. 

He announced himself in style. On the very first ball of his senior cricket career, he nonchalantly lofted Shardul Thakur over cover for six. That one shot set the tone for what would be a sensational debut season. Far from being overwhelmed by the spotlight, the youngest player in IPL history thrived in it. 

Over the course of seven matches, Vaibhav piled up 252 runs at an average of 36 and a jaw-dropping strike rate of 206.55. That wasn’t just impressive—it was record-breaking. His strike rate was the highest among all batters who played at least seven games, earning him the Curvv Super Striker of the Season award. 

What stood out wasn’t just the numbers, but the way he handled pressure like a seasoned pro. Calm, fearless, and technically sound, Vaibhav played with a maturity well beyond his years. With such a dream debut behind him, there’s little doubt he’s in for a massive pay bump in 2026—one that reflects the star he’s rapidly becoming. 

Vipraj Nigam (Delhi Capitals) 

When Delhi Capitals threw a relatively unknown Nigam into the mix against LSG in their season opener, not many outside the DC camp knew what to expect. But by the time the match ended, fans were scrambling to Google his name—and for good reason. 

Coming in at a shaky 113 for 6 in a daunting chase of 210, Nigam played with the kind of freedom and clarity that you rarely see in newcomers. His blistering 39 off just 15 balls turned the game on its head and helped DC pull off a record run-chase. That one knock turned heads, but he didn’t stop there. 

Over the course of 14 matches, the youngster from Uttar Pradesh chipped in with 142 runs and picked up 11 wickets with the ball. Not bad for a player who came in with barely any fanfare and a modest ₹50 lakh price tag. 

What makes Nigam so valuable is his versatility. He’s a bowling all-rounder who can be just as dangerous with the bat in the death overs—a profile that’s incredibly rare and in demand. After the season he’s had, it’s hard to imagine DC letting him go. In fact, some whispers are already floating around that he could be in line to take over from Ravindra Jadeja once the veteran all-rounder hangs up his boots. Whether or not that happens anytime soon, one thing’s clear: Nigam’s stock is rising fast. 

Ayush Mhatre (Chennai Super Kings) 

Outside of the sensational Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the only other teenager who really lit up IPL 2025 was CSK’s Ayush Mhatre. What makes his story even more special is that he wasn’t even picked in the mega auction. Instead, CSK snapped him up mid-season as an injury replacement for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad—for just ₹30 lakhs. Talk about a bargain. 

In the seven matches he featured in, Mhatre didn’t just hold his own—he made sure people remembered his name. The moment that truly put him in the spotlight was his sparkling 94 against RCB. Even though CSK came up short in that match, Mhatre's fearless knock had fans and pundits raving. At just 17, he looked like he belonged on the big stage. 

Across the season, he piled up 240 runs, peppered with 31 fours and 11 sixes. While CSK had a forgettable campaign overall, the emergence of Mhatre gave the Yellow Army something to smile about. Still only a teenager, Mhatre is already showing signs of becoming a future star for India—just like his close friend and U-19 opening partner, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. If this season was a glimpse of what’s to come, fans are in for a treat. 

Sai Kishore (Gujarat Titans) 

R. Sai Kishore has long been a steady performer on the domestic scene, leading Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy and picking up over 350 wickets along the way. Gujarat Titans clearly value his contributions—they used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring him back for ₹2 crore at the auction. 

Though he’s been part of GT since their debut season, Sai Kishore has only featured in 15 IPL matches before this year. But this year, he finally got a consistent run and made the most of it. He picked up 19 wickets—making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker of the season. And honestly, that number could’ve been even higher. 

Mid-season, he hit a bit of a roadblock. Skipper Shubman Gill didn’t seem too confident using him against left-handers, which meant Sai Kishore often didn’t get to finish his full quota of four overs. Despite that, he still stood out as one of the best finger spinners in the league. Quietly effective and tactically smart, Sai Kishore has shown he's more than ready for the next step. A national call-up feels not just deserved, but overdue. 

Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab Kings) 

Prabhsimran Singh has been part of the IPL scene for a while now. Punjab Kings picked him up back in the 2019 auction, and he’s been a familiar face in their setup ever since. The franchise clearly believed in his talent—they retained him for ₹4 crore ahead of the 2024 mega-auction, one of only two players to get that honor along with Shashank Singh. 

While he showed flashes of brilliance in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, it was IPL 2025 where he truly stepped up and delivered on all that promise. Among all the uncapped Indian players this year, Prabhsimran was arguably the standout performer. 

He piled up 549 runs across 17 matches—a huge return by any standard. He became a pillar at the top of the order, producing match-defining knocks like a blistering 60 off 34 balls against Rajasthan Royals and a jaw-dropping 91 off 48 against Lucknow Super Giants.  

However, his purple patch did hit a rough patch after the tournament resumed post the India-Pakistan tensions. His form dipped slightly in the latter half, but by then, he'd already done enough to leave a mark. Let’s be real—scoring over 500 runs in an IPL season is no small feat, and more often than not, it puts you firmly on the radar for a potential India call-up. If nothing else, it definitely puts him in line for a well-earned pay raise in 2026.