Big surprise just days before the auction. Abhimanyu Easwaran got added to the IPL 2026 auction player list unexpectedly. His name wasn’t there in the original 350-player list.
BCCI allowed some late registrations this time around. Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran benefited from this last-minute opportunity luckily. The auction happens on December 16 in Abu Dhabi as scheduled.
Cricket Association of Bengal pushed hard for Easwaran’s inclusion. An unnamed IPL franchise also recommended his name strongly. Their combined efforts worked and BCCI approved his late entry.
Why Easwaran Missed the Initial List
Abhimanyu Easwaran never got an IPL contract despite registering before. Franchises always saw him as purely a red-ball specialist. His Test cricket strengths didn’t translate to IPL appeal earlier.
The original IPL 2026 Auction list came out without Easwaran’s name. Nobody expected him to participate this year honestly. Things changed quickly in just a few days.
CAB believed their captain deserved this chance finally. They contacted BCCI officials explaining his recent form. One franchise backed their claim after watching his performances.
Recent T20 Form Changes Everything
Easwaran smashed 266 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. Seven innings brought consistent big scores for Bengal. His T20 batting suddenly looked IPL-ready to everyone.
A 130* off just 66 balls against Punjab. That innings opened many eyes across Indian cricket. Scouts realized he could destroy bowling in the short format too.
His versatility became clear during that tournament run. Red-ball technique helped him build innings smartly. Power-hitting ability emerged when the team needed quick runs.
Franchises now see him differently than before. A Test specialist who can also win T20 matches? That’s valuable for any IPL team wanting depth.
What This Late Entry Means
Abhimanyu Easwaran enters with a ₹30 lakh base price only. That’s affordable for any franchise’s budget constraints. Teams get a quality batting option without spending big money.
The IPL 2026 Auction pre-auction briefing will include updated player lists. Franchises receive Easwaran’s profile and recent statistics there. His late addition creates last-minute strategy changes for teams.
Some franchises already shortlisted their targets completely. Now they must reconsider plans, seeing Easwaran available suddenly. His domestic form demands serious attention from team management.
