IPL 2026 Auction: Key Players Entering with ₹2 Crore Base Price

The IPL 2026 auction is set to feature 45 players, including stars like Cameron Green and Liam Livingstone, all entering with a base price of ₹2 crore. With 1,355 players registered, franchises are preparing their wishlists ahead of the auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Teams like KKR and CSK are expected to make significant bids, especially for versatile players like Green. This auction promises to reshape team rosters as franchises look to fill their slots with top talent. Read on to find out more about the players and their potential impact on the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 2, 2025, 09:05 IST

Overview of the IPL 2026 Auction

In a significant development for the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, a total of 45 players, including notable names like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, and Matheesha Pathirana, have registered with a base price set at ₹2 crore, according to reports from a sports news outlet.

The auction will feature 1,355 players who have signed up, with the final list shared with franchises after the registration period closed on November 30. Each team can have a maximum of 25 players, and this year, there are 77 available slots, including 31 designated for international players.

Following the submission of wishlists from all ten franchises, the IPL will refine this list. Teams have until December 5 to finalize their shortlists ahead of the auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

Among Indian players, those in pivotal roles are expected to attract significant bids, but the focus is particularly on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the 2025 mega-auction due to a back injury. Teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are anticipated to show keen interest, given their substantial budgets of ₹64.3 crore and ₹43.4 crore, respectively.

KKR is likely to pursue Green aggressively, especially after the retirement of West Indies T20 star Andre Russell. Green's ability to bat in various positions, bowl seam deliveries, and excel in the field makes him a highly coveted player this season.

KKR has released nine players, including Venkatesh Iyer, who was acquired for ₹23.5 crore in the previous mega-auction. They now have 12 positions to fill, six of which are for overseas players. Meanwhile, CSK, the five-time champions, have nine vacancies, four of which are for international players.

Several players released prior to this auction have opted for the top price bracket of ₹2 crore. This includes Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was retained by CSK for ₹13 crore last year but was released due to injury issues, despite being valued as a death-overs specialist.

England's Liam Livingstone, who was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹8.75 crore, is also back in the auction pool after a disappointing season.

Indian players Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have both set their base price at ₹2 crore. Bishnoi, who was retained by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹11 crore last year, was let go after four seasons with the team.

A notable absence from the auction list is Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. He was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹4.2 crore last season but suffered a finger fracture during the 2025 season and was replaced by fellow Australian Mitchell Owen, who remains with the team.

Another unexpected entry is PBKS wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who played a crucial role in their journey to the final. However, he will only be available for 25% of the 2026 season due to personal commitments.

Players listed under the ₹2 crore base price include Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryll Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Roussouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mateesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Alzarri Joseph.