IPL Auction: From heartbreak to homecoming — Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan get late lifeline

NEW DELHI: The IPL 2026 auction delivered galore big-money headlines, but fewer stories matched the affectional value of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan scripting their instrumentality to the league aft aboriginal rejection.

Once touted arsenic India’s adjacent batting stars, some were initially near unsold, lone to find caller beingness successful the accelerated circular — a reminder of however rapidly fortunes tin alteration astatine the IPL auction table.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shaw’s travel was the astir dramatic. After going unsold doubly astatine his basal terms of Rs 75 lakh, the erstwhile India opener concisely took to societal media, posting a heartbreak emoji with the words “It’s OK.”

Within minutes, the publication flipped. Delhi Capitals, the franchise helium represented from 2018 to 2024, revived his sanction precocious successful the auction and brought him backmost for Rs 75 lakh. Shaw swiftly deleted his earlier station and shared DC’s invited graphic instead, captioning it “Back to my family,” sealing a full-circle moment.

The 26-year-old has been successful beardown home signifier and precocious made headlines by scoring the second-fastest treble period successful Ranji Trophy history.

Having shifted from Mumbai to Maharashtra this season, Shaw present gets different accidental to revive his IPL and planetary ambitions with a acquainted franchise.

Sarfaraz Khan’s hold ended successful akin fashion. After going unsold successful the main circular contempt a prolific home grounds — including a blistering 22-ball 73 successful the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy conscionable an hr earlier the auction started — Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for Rs 75 lakh.

For Sarfaraz, the determination represents an accidental to showcase his power-hitting nether MS Dhoni’s watchful eye.

While Shaw and Sarfaraz embodied redemption, the auction besides saw fireworks elsewhere. Kolkata Knight Riders shattered records by signing Australia all-rounder Cameron Green for Rs 25.20 crore, making him the astir costly overseas subordinate successful IPL history. KKR besides landed Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore, portion uncapped Indians continued to currency successful big.Yet amid the crores and bidding wars, it was the quiet, precocious picks of Shaw and Sarfaraz that stood retired — impervious that successful the IPL, a comeback is ne'er much than 1 bid away.