The IPL 2026 Mini-Auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16, proved to be a groundbreaking event, setting new financial benchmarks for players. With 77 slots to fill and franchises collectively spending Rs. 237.55 crore, the auction was characterized by intense bidding wars, especially for highly sought-after overseas all-rounders and talented uncapped Indian players.
A total of 369 players were shortlisted for the auction, with teams prioritizing specific additions to their rosters.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were the most aggressive bidders, particularly for overseas talent. They acquired Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for an astounding Rs. 25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. KKR also secured Matheesha Pathirana for Rs. 18.00 crore, reinforcing their pace attack.
The most significant development, however, was the surge in value for uncapped Indian players. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made headlines by signing all-rounder Prashant Veer and wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma for a remarkable Rs. 14.20 crore each, establishing a new record for uncapped Indian signings. This highlights the increasing recognition and financial reward for emerging domestic talent.
Beyond the top deals, other franchises made notable acquisitions. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured Liam Livingstone for Rs. 13 crore. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) added Venkatesh Iyer for Rs. 7 crore. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bolstered their squad with Josh Inglis and Anrich Nortje. Gujarat Titans (GT) acquired Jason Holder for Rs. 7 crore. Mumbai Indians (MI) re-signed Quinton de Kock at his base price, while Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured Ravi Bishnoi for Rs. 7.20 crore. Delhi Capitals (DC) made value purchases of David Miller and Ben Duckett.
The auction’s inherent unpredictability was evident as established players like Devon Conway and Michael Bracewell initially went unsold. However, accelerated bidding rounds saw them, along with Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, eventually finding teams, underscoring the fluid nature of the IPL player market.