NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 auction delivered plenty of big-money headlines, but few stories reached the emotional significance of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan plotting their return to the league after an early rejection. Once touted as India’s next batting stars, both initially went unsold only to find new life in the accelerated round – a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change at the IPL auction table.Go beyond the limits with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shaw’s journey was the most dramatic. After going unsold twice at his base price of Rs 75 lakh, the former India opener briefly posted a heartbreaking emoji saying, “It’s fine.” Within minutes the script flipped. Delhi Capitals, the franchise he represented from 2018 to 2024, revived his name late in the auction, bringing him back for Rs 75 lakh. Shaw quickly deleted his earlier post and instead shared DC’s welcome graphic with the caption, “Back to my family,” bringing things full circle.
The 26-year-old has been in strong form domestically and recently grabbed headlines by scoring the second-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history. After moving from Mumbai to Maharashtra this season, Shaw now gets another chance to revive his IPL and international ambitions with a well-known franchise.
Sarfaraz Khan’s wait ended in a similar way. After he went unsold in the main round despite an outstanding domestic record – including a stunning 22-ball 73 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy just an hour before the auction began – the Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for Rs 75 lakh. For Sarfaraz, the move represents an opportunity to showcase his batting prowess under the watchful eye of MS Dhoni.
While Shaw and Sarfaraz embodied redemption, there were fireworks elsewhere at the auction too. Kolkata Knight Riders broke records by signing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for 25.20 crore, making him the most expensive foreign player in IPL history. KKR also brought in Sri Lankan paceman Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore while the uncapped Indians continued to cash in big.But amid the crores and bidding wars, it was the quiet, late picks of Shaw and Sarfaraz that stood out – proof that in the IPL, a comeback is never more than a bid away.
