5 best Indian uncapped players available at IPL 2025 auction ft. Vaibhav Arora
The Indian Premier League (IPL) released the names about to go under the hammer during the 2025 mega-auction. The list comprises players who were released by the franchises, along with the addition of new talent. A major chunk of that list belongs to the uncapped players, hoping to use the competition as a platform to break into the national team like their predecessors have managed to do.
The value of uncapped Indian players is precious for franchises that aim to go for titles and hone talent in the long run. Many teams have been rewarded for taking a leap of faith regarding young talent, and on several occasions, it has paid off.
With teams now having to form their entire roster from scratch, barring a threadbare core, uncapped players will be in high demand. They come across as ideal options on the bench and are capable of putting pressure on the established members of the team as well.
On that note, let us take a look at the five best Indian uncapped players available at the IPL 2025 auction.
#1 Vaibhav Arora
The right-arm pacer, knock for his ability to swing the ball both ways, played a vital side role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) title run in the 2024 edition. Vaibhav Arora debuted in 2022 for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) but fizzled after a promising debut.
KKR roped him in for ₹60 lakh, and he proved to be a bargain signing. He was the perfect candidate to round off the franchise's bowling attack which included the likes of Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, and Andre Russell.
Primarily a new ball specialist, Arora can be a huge asset as someone who can make early breakthroughs. He is also certainly an option to have on the bench, considering that these days strong players in the pipeline are as important as having a strong playing XI.
#2 Kartik Tyagi
The express right-arm seamer has been devoid of momentum in his IPL career. Just when Kartik Tyagi was about to fly after a promising stint with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) during the lockdown, he had a bench-warming stint with the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Another forgettable phase with Gujarat Titans (GT) followed, where he mustered only a single appearance.
He had a solid 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign but did not play much competitive cricket in 2024. During the last auction, GT had snapped him for just ₹60 lakh despite two other franchises being interested in his services.
With age still on his side, and a lot of untapped potential, Tyagi could be a highly underrated signing if he is groomed well, and given opportunities consistently.
#3 Angkrish Raghuvanshi
One of the breakout stars of the previous edition, the young batter slotted in perfectly in the KKR batting setup in Nitish Rana's absence. He had a memorable first season, primarily playing the crucial No. 3 role between the explosive top and the middle order.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored 163 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 155.24. There is a great chance that KKR might try to bring him back, but there is no way they can expect it for his earlier base price tag of ₹20 lakh. This time, there is bound to be stiff competition for his services, given that he showed what he is capable of during IPL 2024, and followed it up with a solid start in the domestic season.
#4 Nehal Wadhera
Another one of MI scouts' masterclass, the left-handed explosive batter broke into the team's middle order in the 2023 edition and left a lasting impression. Nehal Wadhera made the most of that momentum to be a driving force in Punjab's 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title win.
Much like MI, his 2024 season did not pan out quite well, with three successive single-digit scores ending his season. However, he has shown more than enough for the franchises to be interested.
Someone of his profile meets the demands of several teams, who will be looking to make the winning bid, while his parent franchise MI is also bound to be in the hunt.
#5 Ashutosh Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma was one of the few positives for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their forgettable 2024 campaign. The explosive batter showcased his ability to finish the innings on several occasions and forged a brilliant chemistry with Shashank Singh in the death overs.
He did not close out the season in style, but that has not affected his credibility. His ability to get going from the word go is a trait that aligns with the philosophies of most franchises.