Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a surprising move in the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi by investing Rs. 5.20 crore on Mangesh Yadav, an underrated pace bowler from Madhya Pradesh. 

Who is Mangesh Yadav?

Mangesh Yadav is one of the talents whose recent bowling performance grabbed the attention of Indian cricket fans. During the Madhya Pradesh Premier League 2025 campaign, he emerged as the topmost leading wicket-taker. In 6 matches, the left-arm pacer claimed a whopping number of 14 wickets, including three 4-fers. 

In terms of bowling average, he was the best in the contest. In those 6 matches and 21 overs, Mangesh got fourteen scalps at an average of 12.00. Against the Bhopal Leopards, he picked up 4 wickets in 3 overs, offering only 18 runs. The other two 4-wicket figures he got during the matches against Jabalpur Royal Lions and Bundelkhand Bulls. According to the stats of the Madhya Pradesh Premier League 2025, Yadav's overall economy rate was 8.00. 

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The pacer is not only relying on the pace of deliveries but also on variations. In modern cricket, yorkers or slower deliveries proved extremely effective during the powerplay and death overs. Yadav can bowl precise Yorkers and slowers along with the ability to swing the ball in both ways.

Mangesh entered the auction at a base price of Rs. 30 lakh, with RCB opening the bidding. Sunrisers Hyderabad soon joined the contest. As both of the franchises eagerly wanted the pacer in their arsenal, the amount did not take too long to go over the Rs 1 crore mark.