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The stage is set in Abu Dhabi for the IPL 2026 auction, an event crucial not for building core teams, but for executing surgical, high-impact squad enhancements. This auction is not about overhauling; it is the final fine-tuning before the season kicks off, where the market is often skewed by demand for niche skills and strategic gaps.
IPL 2026 Auction: The final frontier
A total of 77 slots, including a highly contested 31 overseas positions, are up for grabs, drawing from a shortlisted pool of 359 players. The combined spending capacity of all ten franchises stands at a hefty ₹237.55 crore, promising intense bidding wars for top-tier Indian talent, who remain exempt from the new overseas salary cap of ₹18 crore. Franchises with larger remaining purses, such as KKR and CSK, hold a distinct advantage, while teams with minimal funds, like MI, must rely on razor-sharp scouting for value buys. This one-day event is a high-octane blend of finance and cricket strategy, designed to complete the final roster puzzle for a fiercely competitive IPL season.
IPL 2026 Auction: Franchise-wise remaining purse and slot breakdown
1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Remaining Purse: ₹64.30 Crore (Largest Purse)
- Total Slots Left: 13 (Highest Vacancies): Overseas Slots Left: 6 (Highest Overseas Slots), Indian Slots Left: 7
2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Remaining Purse: ₹43.40 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 9: Overseas Slots Left: 4, Indian Slots Left: 5
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Remaining Purse: ₹25.50 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 10 : Overseas Slots Left: 2, Indian Slots Left: 8 (Highest Indian Slots)
4. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Remaining Purse: ₹22.95 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 6: Overseas Slots Left: 4, Indian Slots Left: 2
5. Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Remaining Purse: ₹21.80 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 8: Overseas Slots Left: 5, Indian Slots Left: 3
6. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Remaining Purse: ₹16.40 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 8: Overseas Slots Left: 2, Indian Slots Left: 6
7. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Remaining Purse: ₹16.05 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 9: Overseas Slots Left: 1, Indian Slots Left: 8
8. Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Remaining Purse: ₹12.90 Crore
- Total Slots Left: 5: Overseas Slots Left: 4, Indian Slots Left: 1
9. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Remaining Purse: ₹11.50 Crore
Total Slots Left: 4 (Least Vacancies): Overseas Slots Left: 2, Indian Slots Left: 2
10. Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Remaining Purse: ₹2.75 Crore (Smallest Purse)
- Total Slots Left: 5: Overseas Slots Left: 1, Indian Slots Left: 4
| Team | Remaining Purse (₹ Crore) | Total Slots Left | Overseas Slots Left | Indian Slots Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 64.30 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 43.40 | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 25.50 | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 22.95 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 21.80 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 16.40 | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 16.05 | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 12.90 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 11.50 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 2.75 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
(Note: Maximum squad size is 25, with a maximum of 8 overseas players.)
Also READ: Top 5 oldest players in the IPL 2026 auction
