In a stunning display of high-stakes bidding, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made Australian all-rounder Cameron Green the most expensive overseas player in Indian Premier League history. The franchise secured Green for a monumental Rs 25.20 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
The Bidding War That Set a New Benchmark
Cameron Green entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, which triggered an immediate response from the Mumbai Indians. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) quickly joined the fray, setting the stage for a competitive battle. KKR entered the contest at Rs 2.80 crore, initiating a prolonged duel with the Royals.
The Royals, who came into the auction with a purse of Rs 16 crore, eventually bowed out when the bid reached Rs 13.60 crore. The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) then stepped in, engaging KKR in a fierce bidding war. CSK finally pulled out at the record sum of Rs 25.20 crore, allowing the Knight Riders to claim the prized Australian all-rounder.
The IPL's New 'Maximum Fee' Rule Explained
Despite the headline-grabbing bid of Rs 25.20 crore, Cameron Green will actually receive only Rs 18 crore for his services. This is due to a significant new regulation introduced by the IPL authorities ahead of the 2026 auction.
The "maximum fee" rule was implemented to safeguard the market value of Indian players and prevent overseas stars from specifically targeting mini-auctions to capitalize on supply-demand imbalances. According to this regulation, an overseas player's salary at a mini-auction is capped at Rs 18 crore – which matches the highest retention slab ahead of the 2025 mega auction.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that any amount bid beyond this cap will be diverted towards player welfare initiatives. A note circulated to franchises stated: "Any overseas player’s auction fee at a small auction will be the lower of the highest retention price of Rs 18 crore or the highest auction price at the big auction."
Financial Implications for Franchises and Players
The new rule creates an interesting financial dynamic. While the player receives the capped amount, the franchise's auction purse is reduced by the full bid amount. For example, in Green's case, KKR's purse will be docked Rs 25.20 crore, but the player will only receive Rs 18 crore. The remaining Rs 7.20 crore will be transferred to the BCCI for player welfare programs.
This mechanism ensures that franchises think carefully before engaging in exorbitant bidding for overseas talent during mini-auctions, as they bear the full financial burden while the player's earnings are limited. The rule was introduced after franchises collectively raised concerns about the strategic behavior of some overseas players who were opting out of retention to test their value in mini-auctions.
The IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi has certainly set a new precedent, not just in terms of bidding numbers but also in highlighting the league's evolving regulatory framework designed to maintain competitive balance and protect the interests of domestic cricketers.
