The IPL 2026 mini auction kicked off with high drama as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest attraction of the day. As widely expected, Green commanded a massive bid and scripted history at the auction table.
With a base price of ₹2 crore, Green sparked an intense bidding war involving Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals, while Chennai Super Kings later joined the contest. After fierce competition, KKR sealed the deal at a staggering ₹25.20 crore, making Cameron Green the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.
Earlier, the record belonged to Mitchell Starc, whom KKR had bought for ₹24.75 crore in the 2024 auction. Green’s acquisition now places him third on the list of the highest-paid players in IPL history overall. Rishabh Pant tops the chart with ₹27 crore (Lucknow Super Giants), followed by Shreyas Iyer at ₹26.75 crore (Punjab Kings).
Key Buys in IPL 2026 Auction
South African batter David Miller joined Delhi Capitals at his base price of ₹2 crore. Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, also priced at ₹2 crore, saw interest from KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru before RCB secured him for ₹7 crore.
Mumbai Indians picked up South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for ₹1 crore. England batter Ben Duckett went to Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore, while New Zealand opener Finn Allen joined KKR for the same amount. Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga moved to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹2 crore.
Big Names Go Unsold
Several high-profile players surprisingly went unsold despite their reputations. New Zealand stars Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, along with Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk, Gus Atkinson, and England players Jamie Smith, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone, failed to attract bids.
Indian batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, both priced at ₹75 lakh, also found no takers. Additionally, Viyaan Mulder, KS Bharat, and Deepak Hooda remained unsold at the auction.
The IPL 2026 auction once again highlighted the league’s unpredictability, with record-breaking buys and unexpected snubs shaping team strategies ahead of the new season.
