IPL 2026 Auction
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction was a rollercoaster of record-breaking bids, surprising snubs, and massive gambles on youth, as franchises scrambled to fill the remaining 77 slots out of 369 registered players. The event firmly cemented the league’s reputation as a platform where fortunes are made and new stars are born.
The Blockbuster Buys
The day’s headlines were dominated by two seismic signings, led by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who entered the auction with the largest purse.
* Cameron Green (KKR): ₹25.20 Crore
The Australian all-rounder became the undisputed star of the show. After a fierce bidding war, KKR secured Green for a staggering ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, surpassing the previous record held by Mitchell Starc. Green, a proven performer with bat and ball, is seen as a generational talent who can anchor the KKR line-up for years to come.
* Matheesha Pathirana (KKR): ₹18.00 Crore
KKR continued their spending spree by acquiring Sri Lanka’s death-over specialist, Matheesha Pathirana, for a massive ₹18 crore. This figure also made him the most expensive Sri Lankan player ever sold at an IPL auction, underscoring the premium placed on elite fast-bowling talent.
The Rise of the Uncapped Indian Millionaires
Perhaps the most astonishing narrative of the day was the historic investment by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in uncapped Indian talent, a move that rewrote the auction’s history books.
* Prashant Veer (CSK): ₹14.20 Crore
Uttar Pradesh’s 20-year-old left-arm spinner, Prashant Veer, became the joint-highest-paid uncapped Indian player in IPL history. CSK secured his services for a whopping ₹14.20 crore, a phenomenal return on his base price of just ₹30 lakh. Veer’s all-round potential as a left-arm spinner and a destructive left-handed lower-order batsman drew comparisons to Ravindra Jadeja, driving the intense bidding.
* Kartik Sharma (CSK): ₹14.20 Crore
Matching Veer’s record price, 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma was also snapped up by CSK for ₹14.20 crore. Known for his aggressive hitting, Sharma’s signing shows CSK’s calculated bet on youthful exuberance and long-term potential in their middle-order.
Another significant uncapped signing saw Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar go to Delhi Capitals for ₹8.40 crore.
Other Key Acquisitions
Franchises also made strategic moves for established players to plug crucial gaps:
* Liam Livingstone was a late but significant addition, going to Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13.00 crore.
* Ravi Bishnoi returned to the Rajasthan Royals for ₹7.20 crore, bolstering their spin department.
* Venkatesh Iyer was secured by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹7.00 crore.
* Lucknow Super Giants added experienced international players, including Josh Inglis for ₹8.60 crore, Anrich Nortje, and Wanindu Hasaranga (both for ₹2 crore).
* Mumbai Indians made a sharp move to get back veteran wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock for a bargain price of ₹1.00 crore.
* Chennai Super Kings also added West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein and New Zealand pacer Matt Henry for ₹2 crore each, alongside experienced Indian players like Rahul Chahar (₹5.20 crore) and Sarfaraz Khan (₹75 Lakh).
The IPL 2026 auction proved that while top international stars command the highest prices, the future of the league lies in unearthing and investing in young, high-impact domestic talent. The stage is now set for the upcoming season, promising an electrifying display of cricket with these newly assembled squads.