The IPL 2026 auction delivered high drama, massive bids, and surprising snubs as franchises filled their remaining slots in a fast-paced event at the Etihad Arena.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dominated the headlines by securing Australian all-rounder **Cameron Green** for a staggering **Rs 25.20 crore**, setting a new record for the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history. KKR weren’t done, adding Sri Lankan death-bowling specialist **Matheesha Pathirana** for **Rs 18 crore** in another blockbuster deal.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made waves in the uncapped category, breaking records by signing Uttar Pradesh spinner **Prashant Veer** and Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter **Kartik Sharma** for **Rs 14.20 crore each** – the joint-highest for uncapped Indians ever. The five-time champions also added West Indies spinner **Akeal Hosein** for Rs 2 crore and bolstered their pace attack with New Zealand’s **Matt Henry** at the same price.
Other notable deals included Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) reuniting with all-rounder **Venkatesh Iyer** for **Rs 7 crore**, Mumbai Indians (MI) snapping up former captain **Quinton de Kock** for a bargain **Rs 1 crore**, and Rajasthan Royals (RR) re-acquiring leg-spinner **Ravi Bishnoi** for **Rs 7.4 crore**.
Delhi Capitals (DC) focused on experience, picking England opener **Ben Duckett** and South African finisher **David Miller** at base price Rs 2 crore each, while Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) strengthened their pace with **Anrich Nortje** and spin with **Wanindu Hasaranga**, both for Rs 2 crore.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made a late splash with England’s **Liam Livingstone** for **Rs 13 crore**, and Gujarat Titans (GT) added West Indies all-rounder **Jason Holder** for **Rs 7 crore**.
However, several high-profile players went unsold, including Australia’s **Jake Fraser-McGurk**, India’s **Prithvi Shaw**, New Zealand’s **Devon Conway**, England’s **Jonny Bairstow**, and spinners like **Maheesh Theekshana** and **Mujeeb Ur Rahman**.
The auction highlighted contrasting strategies: aggressive spending on proven overseas stars and uncapped domestic talent versus cautious base-price picks.
With squads now nearing completion, attention turns to the IPL 2026 season, set to kick off in late March.
Key Highlights:
- Most expensive buy: Cameron Green (KKR) – Rs 25.20 Cr
- Most expensive uncapped: Prashant Veer & Kartik Sharma (CSK) – Rs 14.20 Cr each
- Biggest bargain: Quinton de Kock (MI) – Rs 1 Cr
- Teams with lowest remaining purse: KKR (Rs 0.45 Cr), MI (Rs 0.85 Cr)
