Chetan Sakariya Remains Optimistic After IPL Auction Miss
Chetan Sakariya, the left-arm pacer, is staying positive despite not being picked in the IPL 2026 auction. He entered the auction with a base price of ₹75 lakh, but unfortunately went unsold. Adding to his challenges, he was also left out of Saurashtra’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Andhra on December 31.
So far this season, Sakariya has taken only two wickets in three matches, with a high average of 105 and an economy rate of 7.77. He understands that his recent performances haven’t warranted an IPL selection, but he is committed to setting small, achievable goals for his comeback.
“I wasn’t too disappointed. I knew that if I performed well in the domestic season, I had a chance in the IPL. This auction was a mini one, and most teams already filled their slots, so I wasn’t really expecting to get picked,” Sakariya shared with PTI.
Looking ahead, he has focused on smaller milestones, like aiming to be the highest wicket-taker for Saurashtra, as he was in the 2022-23 season when they won the Ranji Trophy. “I’ve always believed in setting manageable goals,” he explained.
Chetan Sakariya’s Journey So Far
Hailing from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Sakariya made his IPL debut in 2021 with the Rajasthan Royals. Over three IPL seasons, he has played 19 matches, claiming 20 wickets with an average of 29.95, and his best performance being 3/31. He also played for Delhi Capitals and joined Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 as a replacement for injured Umran Malik.
Sakariya received his first call-up to the Indian team during the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021, making his ODI debut on July 23 and earning his first international wicket. However, he has faced challenges maintaining a steady position in both national and domestic cricket recently.
With determination and a focus on improvement, Sakariya aims to bounce back and make his mark in the future.
