IPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Record Deals and Strategic Bidding
Overview of the IPL 2026 Auction
The IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi was marked by unprecedented deals, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) securing Cameron Green for a staggering INR 25.2 crore. While uncapped Indian players made significant earnings, several established stars went unsold or faced salary reductions as teams focused on squad balance and specific roles.
Key Takeaways from the Auction
The IPL 2026 Mini-Auction wrapped up on December 16, featuring intense competition among all 10 franchises. They aimed to enhance their rosters with a mix of international stars, seasoned players, and promising domestic talents ahead of the upcoming season, expected to commence in March.
Franchises collectively spent INR 215.45 crore out of a total budget of INR 237.55 crore on 77 players, leaving INR 22.1 crore unspent as they balanced their budgets while targeting both established names and emerging talents.
Cameron Green's Record-Breaking Deal
KKR made headlines by acquiring Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a record INR 25.2 crore after a fierce bidding war with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Green's entry price was INR 2 crore, and he surpassed Mitchell Starc's previous record of INR 24.75 crore, becoming the most expensive overseas player and the third-highest overall in IPL history, following Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.
Uncapped Indian Players Shine
The auction showcased a remarkable interest in uncapped Indian players, who have yet to represent India internationally but have excelled in domestic cricket. Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Dar was the first uncapped player to attract attention, being acquired by Delhi Capitals for INR 8.4 crore.
Chennai Super Kings made a significant move by signing two uncapped players, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, for INR 14.2 crore each, marking them as the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL history. Royal Challengers Bengaluru also secured left-arm spinner Mangesh Yadav for INR 5.2 crore.
Overseas Players and Strategic Bidding
Overseas players continued to be a major attraction at the auction, with several foreign stars receiving lucrative deals. Apart from Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana was sold to KKR for INR 18 crore, while Liam Livingstone joined Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 13 crore.
Other notable overseas acquisitions included Josh Inglis (INR 8.6 crore), Mustafizur Rahman (INR 9.2 crore), and Jason Holder (INR 7 crore), with some players finding buyers later in the auction after initially going unsold.
Franchise Strategies and Pay Cuts
Franchises entered the auction with clear strategies, focusing on filling specific roles rather than simply acquiring big names. This approach was evident as several well-known players, including Devon Conway and Jonny Bairstow, went unsold, emphasizing the importance of role fit over reputation.
Indian players Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw were initially unsold but were later picked up by CSK and Delhi Capitals for INR 75 lakh each in the accelerated round, showcasing the franchises' patience.
Additionally, many established players faced significant pay cuts, with Venkatesh Iyer's salary dropping from INR 23.75 crore to INR 7 crore, reflecting a shift towards budget-conscious spending.