Meet Virandeep Singh, only Associate cricketer in IPL 2026 auction
What's the story
Malaysian all-rounder Virandeep Singh has made history by becoming the only player from an Associate nation to be included in the final list for the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The 26-year-old player has a base price of ₹30 lakh and a record that far exceeds his profile on the global stage. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released an updated auction roster, trimming it from 1,390 registrations to 359 names.
Career highlights
Virandeep's impressive T20I career and leadership experience
Virandeep has been a key player for Malaysian cricket since his T20I debut in 2019. He has scored a whopping 3,115 runs in 108 matches at an average of 37.08, the most by any player from Malaysia(100s: 1, 50s: 22). Not just batting, he has also impressed with his bowling skills, taking 107 T20I wickets at an economy of 5.58 (4W: 4).
Franchise exposure
Virandeep's experience in franchise cricket and leadership roles
Virandeep has also been part of Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, Surrey Jaguars in Global T20 Canada, and has played for Chitwan Tigers in Nepal's Everest Premier League. He has captained his national side at just 20 years and 190 days old, making him the youngest male cricketer to lead a T20I team. His blend of responsibility, output, and price makes him one of the most intriguing budget options on the auction list.