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Abhimanyu Easwaranthe Bengal captain, is one of the most consistent and prolific run-scorers in Indian domestic cricket. While primarily known for his red-ball excellence (averaging nearly 49 in First-Class cricket with 27 centuries), his recent T20 form has been explosive, highlighted by a blistering unbeaten 130 off just 66 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 (SMAT)a knock which included 8 sixes.

With an overall domestic T20 average of over 37 and a strike rate of nearly 129 in 34 matches, Easwaran offers franchises a rare combination: a technically sound top-order Indian batter who can anchor the innings, convert starts into big scores, and accelerate aggressively when required, making him a prime target for teams needing stability and quality in their top three.

5 franchises that can target Abhimanyu Easwaran in the IPL 2026 mini-auction

1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR will enter the auction with a massive purse of ₹64.30 crore and a significant need to reconstruct their entire Indian batting core, particularly after releasing Venkatesh Iyer. KKR requires a dependable Indian batter for the critical number 3 slot to follow their retained openers (likely Rahmanullah Gurbaz/Jason Roy and Rinku Singh). Easwaran, hailing from Bengal and captaining the Ranji team, brings a strong local connection and the required temperament. KKR can invest a substantial amount in Easwaran to provide the stability and consistency needed to build a long-term, high-quality Indian top order, mitigating the risk of early collapses.

2. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals hold a solid purse of ₹21.80 crore and are desperately searching for a consistent, high-quality Indian batter for their top order, having released Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk. DC’s top-order has often relied too heavily on their star foreign batters, making an Indian anchor a priority. Easwaran’s recent explosive form in the SMAT proves he is not just a red-ball specialist, and he could be seamlessly slotted in at number 3 or as an opener. Acquiring Easwaran would provide the technical assurance and big-score ability to stabilize DC’s innings and ensure the presence of a reliable domestic run-scorer.

3. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) possess the second-largest purse of ₹43.40 crore and are undergoing a strategic rebuild. While they retained Travel Giikwad and acquired Sanju Samsonthey lack depth in experienced, top-quality Indian batters for the number 3/4 position. Easwaran’s ability to play the long inning and adapt his strike rate makes him an attractive option for the traditionally slow Chepauk surface, where an anchor is paramount. CSK values players with a solid domestic track record, and Easwaran fits the bill perfectly, offering a stable and reliable Indian batting option whom they can groom for a key middle-order role.

4. Gujarat Titans (GT)

Gujarat Titans have a moderate purse of ₹12.90 crore and a high reliance on their retained Indian top-order duo, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. However, they need a strong Indian backup opener and a reliable third Indian batter in case of injury or poor form for either Gill or Sudharsan. Easwaran’s high T20 average and big-match temperament make him an ideal signing for this role. GT’s strategy often involves picking undervalued domestic performers with huge upside, and Easwaran’s recent display of aggressive T20 batting will make him a prime candidate to provide a quality domestic reserve.

5. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB, with a purse of ₹16.40 croreretained a strong top order but released several Indian batters, including Mayank Agarwal. They need a proven, high-class Indian batter who can serve as an opener or a dependable number 3/4 batter to ensure stability when their explosive players fail. Easwaran’s recent SMAT century demonstrates the high-impact T20 performance that RCB needs to see from its domestic talent. Given the shorter boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a technically gifted batter like Easwaran who can capitalize on the surface and convert starts would be an excellent investment to round out their Indian batting line-up.