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IPL 2026 auction at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi has ignited fierce bidding wars, with franchises splashing over ₹237 crore across 77 slots for 369 players. Kolkata Knight Riders led the spending with their massive ₹64.3 crore purse, securing two top buys early, while Chennai Super Kings stunned with high investments in uncapped talents. Surprise packages like unknown domestic stars fetching crore-plus deals have overshadowed some established names, signalling a shift toward youth and potential.
Cameron Green shatters record with multi-million deal at IPL 2026 auction
The headline story so far is KKR smashing the ceiling for Cameron Green, outbidding multiple franchises to land the Australian all‑rounder for ₹25.20 crore and making him the costliest overseas buy in IPL history. The move signals a tactical shift, with KKR clearly viewing Green as a three‑dimensional cornerstone who can bat in the top order, bowl with pace through the middle and finish games, replacing years of patchwork in their balance with one premium package.
Another major shock has been CSK’s decision to go aggressively after uncapped Indian talent, dishing out ₹14.20 crore each for top‑order batter Kartik Sharma and all‑rounder Prashant Veer, both signed from a base of just ₹30 lakh. For a franchise long associated with backing experience and continuity, staking nearly ₹30 crore on two relatively unknown domestic players underlines how strongly their scouting group rates this new generation.
Among the most emotional subplots is the rise of Jammu & Kashmir all‑rounder Auqib Nabi, who turned a ₹30 lakh base into an ₹8.40 crore jackpot with Delhi Capitals after a fierce four‑way bidding war. His selection reflects the premium on Indian seam‑bowling all‑rounders and continues the trend of IPL auctions unearthing stories from India’s cricketing hinterland. Gujarat Titans’ late swoop for Jason Holder at ₹7 crore, and Rajasthan Royals’ calculated outlay of ₹7.20 crore on out‑of‑favour leg‑spinner Ravi Bishnoi, further highlight how teams are still willing to pay top dollar for specific skill-sets even when form curves are uneven.
Top 10 most expensive buys of IPL 2026 auction
| Rank | Player | Team | Type | Base (Cr) | Sold (Cr) | Key Analysis |
| 1 | Cameron Green | KKR | BAT/AR | 2.00 | 25.20 | Australian all-rounder’s record overseas tag eclipses Mitchell Starc‘s 24.75 Cr mark; amassed 707 IPL runs at 153.6 SR with 16 wickets across 29 games, blending middle-order power (highest 100) and seam utility (econ 8.61); KKR eyes him as Andre Russell successor for death-over hitting and pace depth, though new rules cap his earnings at 18 Cr with surplus to welfare. |
| 2 | Matheesha Pathirana | KKR | BOWL | 2.00 | 18.00 | Sri Lankan slinga’s raw pace fetched max overseas limit; 19 IPL wickets in 11 outings at 17.10 avg underlines yorker lethality (4/28 best); KKR pairs him with Green for fearsome attack, snatching from LSG’s grasp to bolster death bowling post-Starc era. |
| 3 | Kartik Sharma | CSK | BAT | 0.30 | 14.20 | 19-year-old Rajasthan keeper-batter’s Syed Mushtaq Ali explosion (133 runs, 160+ SR) propelled uncapped record; 334 T20 runs at 162.92 SR signals finishing firepower; CSK bets on middle-order acceleration and gloves backup in Dhoni’s mold. |
| 4 | Prashant Veer | CSK | AR | 0.30 | 14.20 | Uttar Pradesh 20-year-old spin all-rounder’s domestic haul (780 FC runs at 45.88 avg, 30 wickets; T20 420 runs at 135 SR) sparked CSK frenzy; highest uncapped ever, he offers left-arm spin variety and lower-order hitting for Ruturaj’s rebuild. |
| 5 | Liam Livingstone | SRH | AR | 2.00 | 13.00 | English powerhouse’s IPL legacy (1,051 runs in 49 games, 182 SR peaks) includes 437-run 2022 blitz; 13 wickets add spin-off-spin utility; SRH targets top-order aggression to complement Head-Abhishek openers. |
| 6 | Mustafizur Rahman | KKR | BOWL | 2.00 | 9.20 | Bangladesh cutter’s proven IPL nous (47 wickets at 8.68 econ) returns to champions; middle-overs control suits Eden spin track; KKR builds seam trio with Pathirana-Green. |
| 7 | Josh Inglis | LSG | BAT | 2.00 | 8.60 | Aussie keeper’s IPL cameos (73 off 42 max) showcase 162 SR; international T20I solidity adds stability; LSG seeks Nicholas Pooran alternative for explosive starts. |
| 8 | Auqib Nabi | DC | AR | 0.30 | 8.40 | Emerging Indian all-rounder’s uncapped surge highlights pace-spin combo; DC bolsters middle order with raw potential amid Axar-led core. |
| 9 | Ravi Bishnoi | RR | BOWL | 2.00 | 7.20 | Legspin’s 7.20 Cr revival post-mock hype; mystery variations suit Jaipur; RR reinforces spin web around Yuzvendra Chahal. |
| 10 | Jason Holder | GT | AR | 2.00 | 7.00 | West Indies veteran’s experience (global T20 hauls) aids Gill’s youth; death bowling and lower-order cameos fit Titans’ balance. |
