The auction for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season concluded on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with fireworks led primarily by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The two franchises dominated the big-ticket purchases, signalling aggressive strategies and, in CSK's case, a notable philosophical shift away from their veteran-heavy legacy.
CSK and KKR Emerge as Big Spenders
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made the loudest statement by acquiring Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore. This bid not only made Green the most expensive buy of the day but also the most expensive overseas player ever in IPL auction history. KKR further bolstered their squad with Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore and Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scripted a surprising narrative. Moving away from their famed 'Dad's Army' tag, the franchise invested a massive Rs 14.20 crore each on two uncapped Indian players: all-rounder Prashant Veer and wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma. This bold move, especially the signing of a keeper, is being widely interpreted as preparation for a future without the legendary MS Dhoni, potentially making the 2026 season his farewell.
Top Buys and Notable Picks
The auction table saw a mix of established stars and high-potential unknowns fetching huge sums. The top eight purchases were:
- Cameron Green (KKR) - Rs 25.20 crore
- Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) - Rs 18 crore
- Kartik Sharma (CSK) - Rs 14.20 crore
- Prashant Veer (CSK) - Rs 14.20 crore
- Liam Livingstone (SRH) - Rs 13 crore
- Mustafizur Rahman (KKR) - Rs 9.20 crore
- Josh Inglis (LSG) - Rs 8.60 crore
- Auqib Nabi (DC) - Rs 8.40 crore
Other significant deals included Venkatesh Iyer moving to RCB for Rs 7 crore, Ravi Bishnoi joining RR for Rs 7.20 crore, and Jason Holder being picked by GT for Rs 7 crore.
Surprising Unsold Players and Bargain Buys
The auction also had its share of surprises, with several big names failing to find buyers initially or going completely unsold. Explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, with a base price of Rs 2 crore, remained unsold through two rounds. New Zealand's Devon Conway and star all-rounders like Wanindu Hasaranga (who eventually went to LSG for his base price) also saw muted interest early on.
Some players were snapped up in later rounds for their base price, representing potential bargains. Prithvi Shaw finally went to Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh, while Sarfaraz Khan was acquired by CSK for the same amount. Quinton de Kock found a new home at Mumbai Indians for just Rs 1 crore.
The complete list of sold and unsold players from the IPL 2026 auction highlights a clear trend: franchises are increasingly willing to bet big on unproven but high-upside talent, while established stars without specific role clarity faced a tougher market. The strategies of CSK and KKR, in particular, will be under the microscope when the season begins.
