IPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Prithvi Shaw Returns to Delhi Capitals
Key Acquisitions from the IPL 2026 Auction
In a significant move during the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi, Indian opener Prithvi Shaw made his way back to the Delhi Capitals after being acquired for Rs 75 lakh. This auction took place on December 16.
Notably, Australian left-arm seamer Spencer Johnson, who had a base price of Rs 1.5 crore, went unsold, as did England's wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, whose base price was set at Rs 2 crore.
The Chennai Super Kings, who have clinched the championship five times, secured New Zealand's Zak Foulkes for Rs 75 lakh, while Delhi Capitals picked up Kyle Jamieson at his base price of Rs 1 crore.
In other transactions, England's Tom Banton and New Zealand's Adam Milne were sold to Gujarat Giants and Rajasthan Royals for Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.4 crore, respectively. Additionally, Indian U-19 player Vihaan Malhotra was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 30 lakh.
Major Highlights from the Accelerated Auction Round
The accelerated segment of the IPL 2026 auction showcased some exciting highlights. Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 9.20 crores, while West Indies veteran Jason Holder went to Gujarat Titans for Rs 7 crores. Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka, the leading T20I run-scorer for his country, was acquired by Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crores.
The auction also proved lucrative for Indian uncapped players, with MP batter Akshat Raghuvanshi going to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2.2 crores and left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav joining RCB for Rs 5.2 crores.
Cameron Green's Record-Breaking Bid
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green made headlines by being sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 25.20 crores, marking him as the third-most expensive player in IPL history and the highest-priced overseas player ever.
The bidding war between Rajasthan Royals and KKR intensified, with the Royals stepping back at around Rs 13 crores. Chennai Super Kings then entered the fray, pushing the bid beyond Rs 20 crores, ultimately leading to KKR's winning bid of Rs 25.20 crores.
Green's impressive stats include 521 runs in 21 T20I matches at an average of 32.56 and a strike rate of 160.30, along with six fifties and 12 wickets at an average of 23.35. In his T20 career, he has amassed 1,334 runs in 63 matches, averaging 33.35 with a strike rate of 151.07, including a century and seven fifties.
Green's IPL Journey and Earnings
Previously, Green participated in the IPL seasons of 2023 and 2024 with the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring 707 runs in 29 matches at an average of 41.58 and a strike rate exceeding 153, along with a century and two fifties. He also took 16 wickets, averaging above 41.5. However, he missed last season's auction due to an injury.
Despite the winning bid of Rs 25.2 crore, Green's earnings for the IPL 2026 season will be capped at Rs 18 crore.