IPL 2026: Top 5 domestic players entering with strong form

Apart from having some of the biggest international names in T20 cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is also renowned for launching some unearthed domestic gems and giving them the platform to showcase their talents in front of the entire cricketing fraternity. 

This season will see a host of domestic stars compete in the IPL along with international players in a hope to have a great tournament and find themselves in contention to represent India in the future. 

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Ranji Trophy have produced some very exciting players in the past and this year has been no different. 

Here at the 5 domestic players entering in IPL 2026 with strong form

5. Kumar Kushagra – Gujarat Titans

Kumar Kushagra has had a disappointing time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) so far. First picked by the Delhi Capital in 2024 for huge money, the right-hander never found his feet before joining the Gujarat Titans (GT) last year where he did not play a game. 

The 21-year-old, however, has had a brilliant run at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and has increased his stocks ahead of the showpiece tournament. Playing for the title-winning Jharkhand side, Kushagra scored 422 runs at an average of 60.28 and a strike-rate of 161.68. This included a score of 81 from just 38 balls in the final against Haryana to help his side lift the trophy. The year 2026 could be the season where the young prodigy announces himself on the big stage. 

4. Salil Arora – Sunrisers Hyderabad 

Another batter coming into the Indian Premier League (IPL) in red hot form is Salil Arora. The 23-year-old secured his first IPL gig during the latest mini auction when he was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 1.50 crore. 

Arora played eight times in the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he scored at an astonishing strike-rate of 198.88 whilst scoring 358 runs. He even scored his maiden T20 hundred against eventual winners Jharkhand where he scored an unbeaten 125 off just 45 balls, an innings comprising nine fours and 11 sixes.

3. Sushant Mishra – Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals (RR) picked Sushant Mishra for INR 90 lakh which could be one of the signings of the auctions. The 25-year-old is another member from the Jharkhand squad which lifted the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Mishra was one of the unsung heroes from that squad. The left-arm seamer ended the tournament as the joint-leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 22 scalps to his name. This included a spell of 3 for 27 in the SMAT final from his quota of four overs. 

Mishra was signed by the Gujarat Titans in 2024 for INR 2.20 crore. However, he did not manage to play a game for the Ahmedabad-based outfit. 

2. Ashok Sharma – Gujarat Titans

A bowler who can consistently bowl over 140 kmph, Ashok Sharma, alongside Sushant Mishra was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 22 dismissals to his name. 

Ashok was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in the past auctions but unfortunately, he has not been able to make his IPL debut. Based on his recent domestic form, however, the 23-year-old is destined to play a big role for the Gujarat Titans (GT), who managed to secure his services for INR 90 lakh.

1. Auqib Nabi Dar – Delhi Capitals

Arguably the biggest name from domestic cricket to feature in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), Auqib Nabi Dar comes in with a ton of wickets, not only in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but also in the Ranji Trophy.

Playing for the title-winning Jammu & Kashmir side, Auqib took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy and 15 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the latter, he bowled at a tight economy rate of just 7.41.

After an intense bidding war between the Delhi Capitals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 29-year-old would represent the franchise from the capital city and with a host of eyeballs on him on how he does against some of T20 cricket’s greatest players.