Top 10 Youngest Players in IPL 2026
The IPL has always been a league which is the biggest platform for young cricketing talent.
8. Kartik Sharma — 19 Years & 202 Days
19 years and 202 days old, Kartik Sharma made headlines with his whopping INR 14.2 crore signing with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026 auction. Hailing from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Kartik grabbed eyeballs in the domestic circuit with his power-hitting, smashing 28 sixes in 11 T20 innings at a 162.92 strike rate. His performances in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy further witnessed his ability to dismantle both pace and spin.
CSK stunned the IPL auction by securing Kartik, making him the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian player alongside Prashant Veer. Head coach Stephen Fleming stated that Kartik represents a new generation of T20 babies, players who are fearless and perfectly suited to the modern fast-paced format.
7. Yash Raj Punja — 19 Years 179 Days
At just 19 years and 179 days, Yash Raj Punja is set to become one of the youngest players in IPL 2026, joining the Rajasthan Royals as a leg-spinner. Born on June 26, 2006, in the UAE and raised partly in Bengaluru, Punja’s interest in cricket was inspired by his elder brother Yodhin, the UAE’s youngest international cricketer. Initially a fast bowler, Yash transitioned to leg-spin due to an action issue. The 6.5 feet tall, his height allows him to extract extra bounce.
In the 2024 Maharaja KSCA T20 Trophy, representing Hubli Tigers, he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets in 10 games at an average of 12.48. Having featured as a net bowler for the Rajasthan Royals, Yash will look to showcase his talent in the cash-rich league.
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