IPL 2026 Mini-Auction: Key Players to Watch as Franchises Prepare

Franchises Gear Up for IPL 2026 Auction

As the mini-auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 draws near, teams are strategizing to enhance their rosters with a blend of established stars and emerging uncapped players. The auction is set to occur in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, with a finalized list of 350 players, which includes 240 Indian cricketers and 110 from overseas.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared insights on fast bowlers likely to attract significant bids. He highlighted Matheesha Pathirana as a top contender due to his exceptional skills, despite facing some fitness challenges recently. Pathan also mentioned Gerald Coetzee, who not only excels in bowling but can contribute with the bat at No. 8, adding depth to the lineup. Additionally, he pointed out Ashok Sharma, known for his speed and wicket-taking ability, as another player to keep an eye on during the auction.

Mohammad Kaif, another former Indian player, expressed his thoughts on all-rounder Cameron Green, predicting that he will be acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Kaif believes KKR is poised to make a significant impact in the auction after releasing several players to increase their budget.

“Cameron Green is likely to join KKR, as they aim to dominate the auction. They have freed up funds by letting go of multiple players. With Green available, KKR is expected to make a substantial bid, especially as they seek a replacement for Russell,” Kaif stated.

KKR has retained 12 players, including 2 overseas, with a total expenditure of Rs 60.70 crores, leaving them with Rs 64.30 crores in their budget.

Retained players include: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, and Varun Chakaravarthy.