Irfan Pathan names 5 players to watch out for in the IPL 2026 mini-auction

While the countdown to the IPL2026 Auction is gaining pace, cricket expert and former all-rounder in India Irfan Pathan has revealed his list of five players he believes will attract strong interest from franchises. As teams prepare to rebuild and restructure, Pathan’s squad focuses heavily on fast bowling – a commodity that is increasingly dominating T20 cricket. His list also includes an all-rounder with a big impact who could become one of the biggest talking points of the auction.

Star Indian bowler leads the domestic pacers category

Pathan’s first choice was India’s emerging fast bowler Akash Deepwhich he praised for his impressive control and new ball skills. Speaking Star sportsPathan explained that the right-arm quick has a straight seam position, late movement and a zipper – all of which makes him a dangerous bowler in the powerplay.

He suggested Sunrisers Hyderabad, who recently relocated Mohammed Shamicould be one of the teams looking to secure Akash Deep. Pathan emphasized that any franchise looking for a reliable Indian fast bowler with strong new-ball skills is likely to keep a close eye on him during the bidding.

“When I talk about Akash Deep, his seam is very straight. If a team can make use of his new ball skills, he can be useful because he is excellent with the new ball. The way his deliveries get on the bat quickly will be good. He also generates that late movement as we have seen in England. Akash Deep’s quality lies with the new ball. I think SunRisers Hyderabad are short of Indian fast bowlers, they have also released Mohammed Shami so they can go for him,” he says. said Pathan on Star Sports.

Pathan also included Akash Madhwal on his five-player watchlist, praising his meteoric rise in T20 cricket and his ability to handle pressure at the death. Known for his accurate yorkers and disciplined bowling at crucial moments, Madhwal has already shown his temperament in high-stakes IPL matches.

Australian all-rounder would attract massive attention

Among all-rounders, Pathan’s standout pick was Australia’s Cameron Greenpredicting that teams will do anything for him despite limited budgets. Calling him a rare entity in world cricket, Pathan noted Green’s high-arm action, natural bounce, ability to swing the ball and impact with the bat.

Groen prefers hitting at the top, but also offers flexibility in the mid-range – a combination that makes him a strategic asset. Pathan stated that fast bowling all-rounders of his caliber are ‘scarce in nature’, making the Australian one of the most valuable names heading to the auction.

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Pace duo expected to create madness

To add to his list, Pathan chose two overseas fast streams known for their lightning speed: Anrich Nortje And Matheesha Pathirana – which he thinks will be in high demand.

Nortje, with his ability to clock speeds above 150 kmph consistently, provides raw intimidation and the ability to take wickets at all stages of the innings. Pathan noted that Nortje’s experience in global T20 competitions makes him an immediate asset to any side looking for a strike bowler.

Known as the ‘Baby Malinga’ for his swinging action, Pathirana has earned a reputation as a specialist in lethal death-overs. His ability to deliver accurate yorkers and disrupt batters with deceptive angles makes him one of the most exciting young pacers around. Pathan believes his unique skillset will lead to strong competition among franchises.

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