New Delhi, December 17, 2025:
The IPL 2026 Mini Auction may have been small in name, but it delivered one of the most dramatic bidding wars in league history. Held at the Etihad Arena, the auction saw franchises collectively spend around ₹215 crore, rewriting records and reshaping team strategies ahead of the new season.
From a historic overseas signing to massive bets on young Indian talent, the auction underlined how aggressively teams are preparing for IPL 2026.
Cameron Green Creates History at the IPL Auction
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest headline of the night. After an intense bidding battle, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured him for a staggering ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.
However, due to a newly introduced BCCI salary cap rule, Green will receive ₹18 crore as personal remuneration—the highest retention slab—while the remaining amount will be directed to the BCCI Player Development Fund.
KKR continued their aggressive approach by also signing Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 crore, clearly signaling their intent to challenge for the title in 2026.
Uncapped Indian Players Steal the Spotlight
One of the most talked-about moments of the auction came when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) placed record-breaking faith in uncapped Indian talent.
CSK spent a massive ₹28.40 crore on two youngsters:
- Prashant Veer – ₹14.20 crore
20-year-old left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh - Kartik Sharma – ₹14.20 crore
19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan
Both players shattered the previous record for the most expensive uncapped IPL signing, highlighting a major shift in franchise thinking. Teams are now ready to pay premium prices for long-term domestic prospects rather than only proven international names.
Key Team Buys from the IPL 2026 Auction
Several franchises made smart and strategic moves during the auction:
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Despite having the smallest purse (₹2.75 crore), MI managed a value deal by bringing back Quinton de Kock for his base price of ₹1 crore.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
The defending champions focused on experience, adding Venkatesh Iyer to their squad for ₹7 crore.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH strengthened their power-packed lineup by signing England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for ₹13 crore.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC pulled off one of the evening’s surprise picks by signing Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi Dar for ₹8.40 crore.
What This Means for IPL 2026
With all ten franchises finalizing their 25-member squads, the stage is set for a highly competitive season. The IPL 2026 season will begin on March 26, with the final scheduled for May 31.
This auction clearly showed two strong trends:
- Franchises are willing to spend big on versatile all-rounders
- Young Indian talent is now valued on par with global stars
The mix of established names and overnight millionaires promises one of the most unpredictable and exciting IPL seasons in recent years.
