The IPL 2026 mini-auction is just around the corner, set to unfold on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Even though it’s a one-day event, excitement levels are sky-high, with several marquee players expected to change franchises. Let’s take a look at the veteran cricketer who will be the oldest contender under the hammer this season.

The oldest player available in the IPL 2026 mini-auction is Jalaj Saxena, who celebrates his 39th birthday on December 15. Saxena, a stalwart of domestic cricket, has featured in the squads of MI, RCB, DC, and PBKS. While he didn’t get a chance to don the MI jersey in the IPL, he made history by debuting in the Champions League T20 first, playing for MI in the 2014 edition.

Jalaj Saxena eventually made his IPL debut in 2021, which so far remains his only appearance in the league. Despite limited opportunities at the highest level, Saxena has been a standout in domestic T20 cricket, amassing 709 runs and claiming 86 wickets in 79 matches.

Jalaj Saxena has built a remarkable record in domestic cricket, scoring 7,202 runs and taking 496 wickets across 155 first-class matches. He became the first Indian player to reach the landmark of 6,000 runs and 400 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. In the List A format, he has accumulated 2,056 runs and claimed 123 wickets in 109 appearances.

Jalaj Saxena was on the verge of breaking into the Indian national team at various points, representing India A in several matches. However, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja firmly established in the Test side, there was little room for another off-spinner.

He began his domestic cricket journey with Madhya Pradesh in 2005. Ahead of the 2016/17 season, he moved to Kerala, where he played for nine years before joining Maharashtra, his current domestic team.