Unless there’s an eleventh-hour twist, Sarfaraz Khan is set to return to the IPL after going unsold at last year’s mega-auction. The Mumbai batter is in excellent form in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 256 runs from six matches at 64.00 and a strike-rate of 182.85. It is learnt that at least three franchises are monitoring him ahead of the 2026 IPL auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Sarfaraz is listed in the opening set of capped batters with a base price of Rs 75 lakh.
Circa 2025 didn’t go well for the 28-year-old. He was part of the Indian Test squad that toured Australia last winter, didn’t get a game and was then unceremoniously dropped from the red-ball scheme of things. Sarfaraz worked hard on his fitness during close season, changed his dietary habits, lost 17 kilos, but saw himself left out of the India A set-up as well. Getting an IPL team could be a mini redemption. Some franchises feel Sarfaraz is high-management, but with his base price less than a crore, he could be a good reserve option.
Meanwhile, according to sources close to the Kolkata Knight Riders team management, the three-time champions could go all-out for Tanush Kotian. The Mumbai off-spinner has played just three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches this season without taking a wicket, but he is in the Team India scheme of things, having already played for India A. The 27-year-old is also a capable lower-order bat and is said to be liked by Ajinkya Rahane, who was KKR’s captain last season. Kotian has a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
It is learnt that Chennai Super Kings, too, are keeping an eye on Kotian, as they need a replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin. The five-time IPL winners, however, have Rs 43.40 crore remaining in their auction purse vis-à-vis KKR’s Rs 64.30 crore.
Meanwhile, the tentative starting date for the 2026 IPL could be March 26, while the final is on May 31.
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