The high-voltage IPL 2026 mini-auction will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and all eyes will be on the teams seeking to strengthen their top order. In that list of players who will attract big bids, one name that stands tall is Prithvi Shaw. An aggressive and fearless batter, Shaw can give any team an ideal start in T20 cricket, setting the tone from ball one.

Shaw has been putting in a lot of effort to return to form after going unsold earlier. His numbers in domestic cricket are an indication of that. In the Ranji Trophy 2025, he played 7 innings, churning out 470 runs at an average of 67.14 at a strike rate of 92.34.

In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shaw has played 2 innings and scored 71 runs at a strike rate of 173.17, averaging 35.50. This shows that he is ready for competitive T20 cricket ahead of the IPL mini-auction.

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Delhi Capitals would be the first franchise to target Shaw. In the last season, the Delhi Capitals had been experimenting with opening combinations: Faf du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, and KL Rahul. Despite a few bright performances individually, their top order just did not click. After Faf du Plessis and Fraser-McGurk were released, Shaw will be a perfect fit with his ability to score quickly and having earlier played for the franchise.

Shaw has played 79 matches in the IPL, scoring 1,892 runs as an opener at a strike rate of 147.47 and an average of 23.95. His experience in the Indian Premier League makes him a valuable choice for teams needing an attacking top-order player.

Kolkata Knight Riders will also be very interested in Shaw. The KKR had one of the biggest auction purses and released both Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz after a weak opening performance in 2025. Shaw's aggressive style suits Eden Gardens, and he can form a strong combination with Sunil Narine or Ajinkya Rahane at No. 3.

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The other likely bidder is the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). With ₹22.95 crore in their purse and six slots to fill, LSG needs a strong Indian opener to balance their overseas-heavy top order. Shaw will give them stability while allowing them scope for more flexibility in picking overseas players.

With Shaw's recent form and proven IPL experience, he is expected to be one of the most exciting and high-demand players in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Teams needing a quick start in the powerplay will look to secure him at any cost.