The IPL 2026 Mini Auction delivered several eye-catching moments, but few were as surprising as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) big-money move for Mangesh Yadav. Despite having played only two T20 matches at the senior level, the young all-rounder was snapped up by RCB for a massive Rs 5.20 crore. His base price was just Rs 30 lakh, making the jump one of the most talked-about moments of the auction.
RCB’s aggressive bidding clearly showed the franchise’s intent to invest in raw Indian talent with long-term potential.
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Who Is Mangesh Yadav?
Mangesh Yadav is a 24-year-old Indian cricketer from Madhya Pradesh, born on October 10, 2002. He is a right-handed batter and a left-arm bowler, best known for his sharp yorkers and ability to operate in the death overs.
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While he was earlier seen as a spin option, his recent performances have highlighted his growth as a left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder. With RCB showing strong faith in him at the IPL 2026 Mini Auction, Mangesh now has a big opportunity to turn promise into performance on the IPL stage.
How the Auction Bidding Played Out
Mangesh Yadav entered the mini auction at his base price of Rs 30 lakh, with RCB opening the bidding. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) soon joined the contest, triggering a steady rise in price as both teams weighed the value of a left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder.
The bid crossed Rs 1 crore quickly and continued to climb. RCB pushed the price to Rs 4 crore before SRH briefly countered at Rs 4.20 crore. Determined to secure a left-arm option, especially as cover for Yash Dayal, RCB stayed in the race as the amount surged past Rs 5 crore. Eventually, SRH pulled out, allowing RCB to complete the deal at Rs 5.20 crore.
Performances That Put Mangesh in the Spotlight
While Mangesh has limited top-level experience, his performances in domestic T20 tournaments played a key role in his big payday.
Earlier this year, he impressed in the Madhya Pradesh T20 League, playing for Gwalior Cheetahs. Sharing the dressing room with players like Rajat Patidar, Mangesh made an immediate impact. In six matches, he picked up 16 wickets at an average of just 12, emerging as one of the standout bowlers of the tournament.
He registered three four-wicket hauls, including a memorable spell of 4 for 18 in three overs, which underlined his ability to strike regularly and bowl at crucial moments.
Short Stint in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Following his strong league performances, Mangesh earned his debut for Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He featured in two Super League matches, taking three wickets.
Although his bowling figures were on the expensive side, he made an impression with the bat, scoring 28 runs off just 12 balls at a strike rate of 233.33, showcasing his hitting ability down the order.