India, Dec. 18 -- The IPL 2026 auction room in Abu Dhabi witnessed an uncomfortable silence twice, once when Prithvi Shaw's name was called, then again for Sarfaraz Khan. Both players, carrying baggage heavier than their talent, watched franchise paddles stay down. Seven hours later, the Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings raised their hands, securing both at their base prices of INR 75 lakhs each.

The buys screamed risk. But their recent domestic performances that preceded this moment indicated something else entirely: redemption earned through runs and hard grind.

Prithvi Shaw did not just return to form, he obliterated the doubts with a statistical rampage that made ignoring him impossible.

DC's decision was not purely sentimenta...