Abu Dhabi: The IPL 2026 mini auction concluded with record-breaking bids and a notable shift in franchise strategies, as teams invested heavily in both established international stars and emerging domestic talent. The auction underlined the league’s growing emphasis on versatility, long-term planning and youth development.
Green Commands Historic Price
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the costliest buy of the auction after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured him for ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history and among the highest-valued players overall. Green’s ability to influence matches with both bat and ball triggered a fierce bidding war before KKR sealed the deal. KKR further strengthened their squad by acquiring Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 crore, reinforcing their pace department and signaling a clear intent to build a balanced and competitive unit for the upcoming season.
Uncapped Indian Players Attract Significant Investment
A defining feature of the auction was the unprecedented demand for uncapped Indian players, reflecting a strategic shift among franchises toward nurturing domestic talent.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) led this trend by making two major investments: Prashant Veer, a left-arm spinner, was signed for ₹14.20 crore, becoming the highest-priced uncapped Indian player in IPL auction history. Kartik Sharma, a wicketkeeper-batter, was bought for the same amount, marking another landmark deal for an uncapped player.
Several other domestic players also fetched substantial sums. Auqib Nabi joined Delhi Capitals for ₹8.40 crore, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.20 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders picked up Tejasvi Dahiya for ₹3 crore, and Lucknow Super Giants signed Mukul Choudhary and Akshat Raghuwanshi for ₹2.6 crore and ₹2.2 crore respectively.
Strong Demand for Overseas Experience
Despite the focus on domestic youth, proven international players continued to command premium prices. Liam Livingstone was secured by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13 crore, adding depth and power to their batting lineup. Josh Inglis moved to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8.60 crore, while Mustafizur Rahman was signed by KKR for ₹9.20 crore. Gujarat Titans added experience to their squad by acquiring Jason Holder for ₹7 crore.
With the auction now concluded, franchises will turn their focus to squad integration and tactical planning ahead of the new season, which is expected to deliver another highly competitive edition of the Indian Premier League.
