Salil Arora’s name made the news when he hit a fantastic 39-ball century against Jharkhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 23-year-old keeper and batsman made 125 runs and didn’t lose his wicket, hitting 11 sixes and 9 fours in the process. With only 4 days remaining for the IPL 2026 auction, he is becoming a very hot property.
Attracting the attention of the IPL teams, Arora’s blazing innings has drawn special attention to the Indian uncapped wicket-keeper category. Being only 23 years old, his talent of turning games in T20s makes him a game-changer in the hands of any team. Let’s see which IPL teams will most probably make a move for him in the auction.
- Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians could emerge as the first team to go after Punjab’s keeper-batter, Salil Arora, at the IPL 2026 auction. It will be interesting to see whether they will be able to get him at a modest 2.75 crore purse, but there are reasons that obviously make Arora a target for MI.
Reasons MI could target Salil Arora:
MI needs a wicketkeeper-batter who can bat in the middle order or at the death to add quick runs.
Robin Minz has been retained but was not convincing last season.
Karnataka’s KL Shrijith has been released, making room for a young keeper-batter.
MI has historically been a place for young Punjab talent, and Salil has been through several MI trials in the past.
Salil Arora is in Set 18 of uncapped Indian wicket-keepers, not the first set that is set no. 8, allowing MI to wait and bid strategically after other teams have spent their purse
- Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders are doing a big reformation before IPL 2026, with a massive ₹64.30 crore purse. KKR, who were facing difficulties in the middle-overs last season, will look for both international and Indian uncapped wicket-keepers, including Salil Arora.
Reasons KKR could target Salil Arora:
KKR was the worst middle-over batting team (7-16 overs) in IPL 2025, averaging 19.57 with a 126.62 strike rate.
Released Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, creating chances for new WK options.
Will probably target an overseas keeper for the top order but will also consider Indian uncapped options mostly for the middle-order.
Can’t depend on Angkrish Raghuvanshi as a backup keeper.
With a whopping 64.30 crore purse, they can assure big names in the first 70 picks and select Salil later in the accelerated auction.
- Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals may go for Salil Arora in IPL 2026 auction. With a ₹16.05 crore purse, the franchise has the liberty to make a bid for the exciting keeper-batter and strengthen their squad options.
Reasons RR could target Salil Arora:
The exit of Sanju Samson created a scenario where the wicket-keeping of Dhruv Jurel become necessary.
Jurel might come in at No. 3, which means the middle-lower order gets a gap.
RR middle and lower order being unable to finish games in IPL 2025 cost them a playoff spot.
Shimron Hetmyer needs a companion in the death as Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja can’t create much with the ball.
Salil Arora can be a game-changing player in the final moments by scoring quickly.
Kunal Singh Rathore’s release opens up a place for an Indian uncapped wicket-keeper.
Final Verdict
Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals are the three teams that have the highest probability of targeting Salil Arora in the IPL 2026 auction. There is an abundance of uncapped Indian wicketkeepers in the auction this time around, but undoubtedly, Salil Arora’s timely century makes him one of the hottest picks.