Top Debutants to Look Out For in IPL 2026

Vihaan Malhotra

A lot will be expected out of 19-year-old Vihaan Malhotra, who is set to turn up for RCB in IPL 2026. He was a part of the India squad which lifted the U-19 World Cup earlier this year, and he finished the tournament with 240 runs in seven innings at a stellar average of 60, while having picked up five wickets with his off-spin.

Salil Arora

Punjab's Salil Arora is one of the most exciting domestic debutants for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, having been secured for INR 1.50 crore at the auction. A hard-hitting keeper-batsman, the 23-year-old scored 358 runs in just eight matches at an average of 71.60 and a strike-rate of 198.89 in the 2025 SMAT.

Mangesh Yadav

Set to represent RCB in IPL 2026, Mangesh Yadav was secured for a staggering INR 5.20 crore, roughly 17 times his base price, at the auction. A left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, he dominated the 2025 MP Premier League, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets in just 6 games.

Tejasvi Singh Dahiya

Tejasvi Singh Dahiya is one of the most exciting domestic breakout stars, who is set to make his IPL 2026 debut for KKR. Often hailed as the 'Delhi's De Villiers' for his 360-degree power-hitting, he was the standout performer in the Delhi Premier League, smashing 339 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 190.45.

Pathum Nissanka

Set to make his highly-anticipated debut in the IPL, Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka will represent DC after having been acquired by the franchise for a whopping INR 4 crores. He enters the IPL in good form following an impressive T20 WC campaign, highlighted by a sensational 100 off 52 balls against Australia.

Ashok Sharma

Ashok Sharma is one of the most talked-about pace sensations, and is set for his IPL debut with Gujarat Titans in 2026. A 23-year-old speedster from Rajasthan, he shattered a decade-old record to become the highest wicket-taker in a single SMAT season, having finished the 2025 campaign with a stunning 22 wickets.

Kartik Sharma

Another player from Rajasthan to feature on this list, Kartik Sharma etched his name in IPL history books when he became the joint most-expensive uncapped player, at INR 14.2 crores. Set to make his debut for CSK, the 19-year-old keeper-batter, known for his six-hitting abilities, is being touted as MS Dhoni's replacement.

Finn Allen

Though he has been part of IPL squads before, New Zealand opener Finn Allen is yet to make his on-field debut in the tournament, and arrives as arguably the most in-form T20 batter in the world right now. Set to play for KKR, the 26-year-old scored 298 runs in eight innings in the 2026 T20 WC, to help the Kiwis to the final.

Auqib Nabi Dar

Signed by Delhi Capitals for a staggering ₹8.40 crore, 29-year-old Auqib Nabi is a prolific right-arm swing bowler, who enters IPL 2026 following a historic domestic season with Jammu & Kashmir. Navi finished as the highest wicket-taker of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, with 60 wickets at an extraordinary average of 12.56.

Prashant Veer

CSK's Prashant Veer is the most anticipated debutant of IPL 2026, making history as the joint-most expensive uncapped player at INR 14.2 crore. A left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, he is widely hailed as the long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja due to his lethal combination of middle-order power-hitting and orthodox spin.