IPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Record Deals and Rising Stars
IPL 2026 Auction Overview
The IPL 2026 auction, held in Abu Dhabi, showcased significant financial moves, particularly with Australian all-rounder Cameron Green making headlines as he joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering Rs 25.20 crores. This auction not only saw foreign players cashing in but also highlighted the financial success of several domestic talents.
Scheduled from March 26 to May 31, IPL 2026 will maintain its traditional timeline. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to unveil the full schedule, the tournament is anticipated to kick off approximately three weeks after the T20 World Cup, which is set to occur from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.
Major International Signings
The auction featured notable signings, including Matheesha Pathirana moving from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to KKR for Rs 18 crores, and England's Liam Livingstone joining Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 13 crores. Green's transfer marks him as the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, surpassing the previous record held by Mitchell Starc.
Green's impressive stats include 521 runs in 21 T20Is with an average of 32.56 and a strike rate of 160.30, alongside 12 wickets. His IPL journey includes a total of 707 runs in 29 matches, showcasing his potential as a key player.
Domestic Players Shine
Chennai Super Kings made headlines by acquiring two explosive domestic players, Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma, for Rs 14.20 crores each, marking them as the most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. Prashant has been a standout performer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, while Sharma has shown promise in both T20 and Ranji Trophy formats.
Additionally, Aquib from Jammu and Kashmir secured a deal with Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.40 crores, following a stellar performance in domestic cricket, including 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Bargain Buys and Strategic Acquisitions
Several franchises capitalized on what could be considered steal deals. Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired Jordan Cox, the top run-scorer from The Hundred, for Rs 75 lakh. CSK brought back Matt Henry for Rs 2 crores, while Lucknow Super Giants signed Wanindu Hasaranga for the same amount.
KKR also made strategic moves, securing Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra for Rs 1.5 crores and Rs 2 crores, respectively. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians welcomed back Quinton de Kock for just Rs 1 crore.
Complete Team Rosters Post-Auction
The auction concluded with each team finalizing their rosters. For instance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's squad now includes notable players like Virat Kohli and the newly acquired Jordan Cox. Similarly, Chennai Super Kings retained their core while adding new talents like Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma.
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, teams are gearing up for an exciting tournament filled with fresh talent and seasoned players.