Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that 2022 Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Yash Dhull has significantly strengthened his case for a return to the IPL, thanks to a string of impressive performances in domestic cricket. Chopra said the young batter has “ticked all the boxes” and could attract serious interest at the IPL 2026 auction.
Dhull’s resurgence has been particularly inspiring, coming after he underwent heart surgery last year. Since his return, the right-hander has shown remarkable consistency across formats, rebuilding his career through strong performances in both red-ball and white-ball cricket.
The 22-year-old was in sublime form during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025, representing Central Delhi Kings. Dhull piled up 435 runs in just eight matches at an astonishing average of 87 and a strike rate of 167.31, including two centuries and three half-centuries, to finish as the tournament’s third-highest run-getter.
With the IPL 2026 auction scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, Dhull has entered the auction pool with a base price of INR 30 lakh. Given his recent form and resilience, several franchises could see him as a long-term prospect with significant upside.
“Yash Dhull’s journey is quite inspiring,” Chopra said while speaking on Top Uncapped Players to Watch Out for in the Tata IPL Auction on JioHotstar. “He was once seen as a youngster who would play for India very soon. That hasn’t happened yet, but he keeps scoring runs and makes the most of every opportunity he gets.”
Chopra stressed the importance of sustained relevance in domestic cricket. “Sometimes it’s about staying in the conversation for a long time, so that when the opportunity comes, people think of you,” he added.
Reflecting on Dhull’s earlier IPL stint with Delhi Capitals, Chopra noted that while the batter did get chances, he couldn’t fully capitalise at the time. “This season of the Delhi Premier League was excellent for him. Those runs will certainly help him in the IPL. He’s an Under-19 World Cup winner, and right now, with his DPL performances, he’s keeping himself firmly in the minds of everyone following the game,” Chopra said.
