IPL 2026 Mini Auction: 3 Maharashtra Premier League Bowlers Likely to Attract Franchises

With 34 exciting games played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune over its 19-day run, the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) 2025 was jam-packed with action. While veterans tried to reinvent their game, youngsters shone brightly as well, making it a rich cocktail of youth and experience that surely made the audiences go dizzy with quality cricket on display. 

Here’s a look at three talented bowlers currently making waves in the league who aren’t part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just yet, but based on their recent performances, they absolutely deserve a shot at the 2026 IPL mini-auction. With the next season of the world’s most lucrative cricket league on the horizon, these rising stars could be exciting additions to any franchise.

IPL 2026 Mini Auction Schedule: Key Dates and Timing

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: 3 Maharashtra Premier League Bowlers Likely to Attract Franchises

Nikhil Kadam - Raigad Royals

Nikhil Kadam may not be a control freak or someone who picks wickets at will, but the 25-year-old left-arm pacer brings something special to the game. His ability to swing the new ball into right-handers and take it away from left-handers makes him a valuable option, especially in an IPL setup that’s crazy about left-arm fast bowlers. Kadam had a solid tournament, taking 14 wickets overall, even though he couldn’t get one in the final.

Akshay Waikar - Eagle Nashik Titans

As mentioned earlier, the MPL had a great mix of young talent and experienced players, and this was clear in the top-performing teams too. One such experienced player was Akshay Waikar. Even though he took just 11 wickets in the 9 innings he bowled for the champions Nashik Titans, his control and consistency stood out and made a big impact.

It’s not just about being an average wicket-taker, what stands out is how Waikar has been one of the best at holding things together for his team. With an incredible economy rate of just 6 (and it was even better at 5.8 before the final), he’s definitely caught the eye. That kind of control could be exactly what gets him noticed by IPL scouts and maybe even picked by a team soon.

Tanay Sanghavi - Raigad Royals

While Siddhesh Veer led the charge with the bat and took Raigad Royals to the finals, Tanay Sanghavi was their star with the ball. He picked up 20 wickets in just 10 matches, averaging 14.35 runs per wicket and taking a wicket almost every 10 balls. His economy rate of 8.67 might seem a bit high, but it’s quite decent in today’s fast-paced T20 cricket.

At just 23, the right-arm fast bowler has a strong chance of being picked in the auction, mainly because he has a real knack for taking wickets, no matter the situation.

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