IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Complete Details and Latest Updates
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Complete Details and Latest Updates
The IPL 2026 Mini Auction was held on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It was a one-day event where 10 franchises filled 77 slots (including 31 overseas) from a pool of 369 shortlisted players. A total of 77 players were sold for a combined ₹215.45 crore, with strong emphasis on young uncapped Indian talent and premium overseas all-rounders/fast bowlers.
The auction featured intense bidding wars, record-breaking deals for overseas players, and massive investments in uncapped Indians. The IPL 2026 season is scheduled from March 26 to May 31, 2026.
Key Highlights and Top Buys
- Most Expensive Player: Cameron Green (Australia, All-rounder) → Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹25.20 crore (most expensive overseas player in IPL history).
- Second Most Expensive: Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka, Fast Bowler) → KKR for ₹18 crore.
- Joint Most Expensive Uncapped Players: Prashant Veer (Left-arm spinner, Uttar Pradesh) and Kartik Sharma (Wicketkeeper-batter, Rajasthan) → both to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹14.20 crore each (record for uncapped players).
- Other Notable Buys:
- Liam Livingstone (England, All-rounder) → Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹13 crore.
- Venkatesh Iyer (India, All-rounder) → Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹7 crore.
- Ravi Bishnoi (India, Leg-spinner) → Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ₹7.20 crore.
- Prithvi Shaw → Returned to Delhi Capitals (DC) (price not highlighted as top, but notable comeback).
- Quinton de Kock → Mumbai Indians (MI) for ₹1 crore (bargain buy).
Team-wise Key Purchases and Strategy Notes
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Biggest spenders; splashed on Green and Pathirana to build a strong pace-allrounder core.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Shifted from experience-focused approach; invested heavily in youth with Veer and Sharma, plus Akeal Hosein and Matt Henry.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Secured Livingstone for middle-order firepower; added several uncapped domestic players.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Got Venkatesh Iyer and Jacob Duffy as backups.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): Added Ravi Bishnoi for spin strength.
- Delhi Capitals (DC): Brought back Prithvi Shaw; added David Miller and Ben Duckett.
- Mumbai Indians (MI): Limited purse; smart low-cost pick with de Kock.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): Quiet auction; retained most squad from runners-up finish.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Added Wanindu Hasaranga at base price.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): Focused on depth with limited slots.
Notable Unsold Players
Many high-profile names went unsold, especially overseas stars:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)
- Jonny Bairstow (England)
- Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway (New Zealand)
- Alzarri Joseph, Gus Atkinson, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Spencer Johnson
- Several established Indians also remained unsold due to preference for youth.
The auction highlighted a trend: Franchises prioritized proven overseas match-winners and high-potential uncapped Indians over mid-tier capped players.
For full sold/unsold lists, team squads, and more, check official sources like iplt20.com or espncricinfo.com. The teams are now finalized and gearing up for IPL 2026!
(Compiled for www.bharattone.com – Your trusted source for Indian sports updates)
