IPL 2026 Auction LIVE: 'Eager to meet Mahendra Singh Dhoni,' Prashant Veer can't wait to meet Thala after 14.20 Cr bid from CSK

In a heartwarming moment post the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer expressed his disbelief and joy after being acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a record-breaking ₹14.20 crore. Speaking to Dainik Jagran, the 20-year-old sensation said: "I had hopes that a good bid would come, but I didn't expect such a high bid. I wanted to play for Chennai from the start, and that very team picked me. I'm eager to meet Mahendra Singh Dhoni."

Where to watch and follow the IPL 2026 auction live

Cricket fans in India can watch the IPL 2026 auction on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.

Who is Prashant Veer?

Hailing from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, Prashant Veer is a versatile left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler.

At just 20, he has already drawn comparisons to Ravindra Jadeja for his all-round abilities, tight bowling in the middle overs, explosive lower-order hitting, and sharp fielding.

In the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Veer claimed 9 wickets at an economy of 6.76 while scoring 112 runs at a strike rate over 160, including quickfire unbeaten knocks.

His breakout came in the UP T20 League with Noida Super Kings, and he shone in age-group tournaments, earning Player of the Tournament in the Men's U-23 State A Trophy with 376 runs and 18 wickets. CSK's massive investment signals their intent to groom him as a long-term Jadeja replacement, especially after trading the star all-rounder to Rajasthan Royals.

Veer's admission that CSK was his dream team from the outset adds a personal touch to the franchise's youth-focused strategy. The five-time champions, rebuilding after a tough 2025 season, also snapped up Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma for the identical ₹14.20 crore and West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein for ₹2 crore.

Eager to learn from MS Dhoni

The highlight of Veer's quote is his excitement about meeting MS Dhoni, the iconic leader retained by CSK for IPL 2026.

At 44, Dhoni continues to mentor young talents, and Veer could benefit immensely from his guidance on game awareness, finishing innings, and spin bowling variations.

Social media buzzed with reactions, fans dubbing Veer "Jadeja 2.0" and celebrating CSK's bold bets on Indian youth. As the auction progressed, CSK's ₹28.40 crore spend on Veer and Sharma underscored a shift towards building a squad for the post-Dhoni era while competing immediately under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.