Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In a moment of pride for Jammu and Kashmir’s cricketing community, eight players from the region have been included in the final shortlist for the IPL 2026 mega auction scheduled on 16 December at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday unveiled a refined pool of 350 players shortlisted from nearly 1,390 initial applicants, based on team requirements and recent domestic performances.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association finds itself strongly represented with eight names in the final list: Auqib Nabi, Nasir Muzaffar, Atif Mushtaq, Waseem Khanday, Vivrant Sharma, Abid Mushtaq, Qamran Iqbal and Ashwin Murugan.
Leading this group is Baramulla’s Auqib Nabi, who has emerged as one of the most reliable swing bowlers in the domestic circuit. The 28 year old enjoyed a remarkable Ranji Trophy season last year, claiming 44 wickets and placing himself among India’s top performers across formats.
Alongside him stand several promising talents who have made a mark in various domestic tournaments. Nasir Muzaffar has earned praise for his calm middle order presence, Atif Mushtaq for his consistency in white ball cricket, and Waseem Khanday for his steady run scoring in the T20 format. Vivrant Sharma, previously part of Sunrisers Hyderabad, brings valuable franchise experience, while Abid Mushtaq continues to strengthen his reputation as J&K’s dependable spin bowling all rounder. Young opener Qamran Iqbal has impressed with his aggressive stroke play, and Ashwin Murugan has shown promise with his sharp fast medium spells.
JKCA officials say this recognition mirrors the steady progress in the region’s cricketing ecosystem. Improved infrastructure, better coaching facilities and wider exposure through domestic tournaments have collectively raised the standards of local talent.
This year’s IPL auction features 77 available slots across ten franchises. Of the 350 shortlisted players, 240 are Indian while 110 come from overseas. A large share of the pool consists of emerging domestic talent, including 224 uncapped Indian players. While 40 cricketers have opted for the highest base price of Rs 2 crore, the majority sit in the Rs 30 lakh bracket, a range often targeted by teams seeking rising talent.
Jammu and Kashmir’s presence in the IPL has grown steadily over the past decade, with earlier names like Abdul Samad, Umran Malik, Parvez Rasool, Rasikh Salam, Yudhvir Singh, Mohammad Mudhasir and Manzoor Pandav carving a path for new aspirants. Some gained considerable match exposure while others benefitted through world class training environments.
For cricket enthusiasts in J&K, the inclusion of eight players in the 2026 auction pool marks a milestone, raising hopes that several of them will secure contracts and further strengthen the region’s footprint in the league.
