The stage is set for a high-stakes bidding war as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction gets underway in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. With a cumulative purse of Rs 237.55 crore to fill 77 slots across 10 franchises, the focus will be on heavyweight teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, who are armed with the heftiest war chests.
Franchise Purses and Key Buyers
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lead the financial charge with a massive Rs 64.30 crore to spend, closely followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with Rs 43.40 crore. Lucknow Super Giants, with Rs 22.95 crore, are another major potential buyer. In stark contrast, defending champions Mumbai Indians have a modest Rs 2.75 crore, indicating their settled core. Similarly, Punjab Kings (Rs 11.50 crore) and Gujarat Titans (Rs 12.90 crore) are not expected to be major players in the big-ticket purchases.
This marks the third consecutive overseas IPL auction, following events in Dubai and Jeddah. The auction dynamics are influenced by the IPL's maximum-fee rule for overseas players, which caps the price at a mini-auction at the lower of the highest retention slab (Rs 18 crore) or the highest price from the last mega auction (Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant). This means a player like Cameron Green cannot earn more than Rs 18 crore.
Overseas Stars in the Spotlight
All-rounder Cameron Green is anticipated to attract fierce bidding, especially from franchises seeking seam-bowling all-rounders. After missing IPL 2025 due to back surgery, the 26-year-old Australian could join compatriots Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the elite high-salary club if he strikes a big deal.
Other overseas players poised for significant interest include South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, who is back in international cricket with scintillating form, and English power-hitter Liam Livingstone. England's Jonny Bairstow and New Zealand's Tim Seifert are also expected to draw bids given their explosive batting and experience.
Indian Talents and Franchise Strategies
The auction list features several Indian players hoping for a breakthrough or a comeback. Aggressive opener Prithvi Shaw and first-class heavyweight Sarfaraz Khan, both with a base price of Rs 75 lakh, will aim to find buyers after going unsold previously. Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi, a Ranji Trophy star, enters the IPL auction fray for the first time at a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Punjab wicketkeeper-batter Salil Arora has forced scouts to take notice after a blistering 125 off 45 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran has received a late entry into the auction list with a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Gujarat Titans, with a limited purse, are likely to target a finisher to complement their well-balanced squad. Owner Jinal Mehta expressed confidence in the team's retained core and the leadership of coach Ashish Nehra. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings' plans will be guided by captain Shreyas Iyer, who has flown to Abu Dhabi for the auction, although head coach Ricky Ponting will not be attending.
As the gavel falls in Abu Dhabi, franchises will look to strategically plug gaps, setting the stage for another thrilling season of the world's premier T20 league.
