New Delhi: The Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 auction turned into a high-profile mix of emerging talent and famous cricketing surnames, with players linked to former India stars Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli attracting attention alongside standout domestic performers.
Held at a five-star hotel in the capital, the auction marked the beginning of the league’s third season, which has rapidly grown into one of India’s most promising talent platforms feeding into the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Sehwag’s younger son joins new franchise
One of the final players to go under the hammer was Vedant Sehwag, the younger son of Virender Sehwag. The 16-year-old was picked up by Central Delhi Kings for ₹1 lakh after entering the auction pool for the second time.
Unlike his father, who was known for explosive opening batting, Vedant has been developing as a right-handed batting all-rounder with a focus on off-spin bowling. He has already made early impressions at the junior level, including a notable four-wicket performance in the Vijay Merchant Trophy for Delhi Under-16s.
Aaryavir Sehwag continues domestic journey
Vedant’s elder brother, Aaryavir Sehwag, also remained a talking point during the auction. After being picked up last season for ₹8 lakh following a bidding battle, he featured in a single match before returning to the auction pool.
This year, West Delhi Lions secured him for ₹3 lakh, continuing his steady progression in Delhi’s competitive cricket structure.
Kohli family name enters DPL spotlight
Another attention-grabbing inclusion was Aaryaveer Kohli, the 16-year-old nephew of India star Virat Kohli. He was picked by Central Delhi Kings after previously featuring for South Delhi Superstarz, adding another famous surname to the league’s growing list of young prospects.
Breakthrough for Sarthak Ranjan
Sarthak Ranjan continued his impressive rise in domestic cricket, with North Delhi Strikers using their Right to Match card to retain him for ₹17 lakh.
Known initially for his political family background, Ranjan has built a strong cricketing reputation through consistent performances. After scoring heavily across two seasons, he earned an IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders, further strengthening his profile as one of Delhi’s most reliable batters.
Tejaswi Dahiya emerges top buy
The biggest surprise of the auction was Tejaswi Dahiya, who became the highest-paid player of the day after being bought by South Delhi Superstarz for ₹40 lakh.
A product of a modest background, Dahiya has no famous surname but has built his reputation on performance alone. With 339 runs at a strike rate close to 200 in the previous season, he later secured a ₹3 crore IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026.
Conclusion
The Delhi Premier League auction once again highlighted the growing importance of domestic T20 leagues in shaping India’s next generation of cricketers. While famous surnames drew attention, it was consistent performers like Tejaswi Dahiya who stole the spotlight, reinforcing the league’s reputation as a genuine talent pipeline.