IPL 2026 Auction: 5 Players Who Could Get The Highest Bids
The IPL 2026 auction is just days away. The spotlight is firmly on Abu Dhabi, where 350 shortlisted players will go under the hammer on December 16. With 77 squad spots open and a combined purse of ₹237.50 crore, all 10 franchises are preparing for an aggressive auction day.
Kolkata Knight Riders will walk in with the largest purse of ₹64.3 crore, followed by Chennai Super Kings at ₹43.4 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad (₹25.5 crore) and Lucknow Super Giants (₹22.9 crore) also have enough financial muscle to make big moves. At the other end, Mumbai Indians hold just ₹2.75 crore, the lowest purse of any team this year.
Even though this is not a mega auction, history shows that mini auctions can trigger record-breaking deals. Mitchell Starc was picked at a record amount of ₹24.75 crore by KKR in 2024. His IPL auction final price then dropped to Rs 11.75 crore at the mega IPL auction in 2025. This is an example of the IPL auction unpredictability.
However, the BCCI’s new “maximum fee rule” caps overseas salaries at ₹18 crore, which was the highest retention slab before the 2025 mega auction. This rule is designed to prevent inflated bidding triggered by supply-demand gaps in mini auctions. If the final bid goes above ₹18 crore, the additional amount will be taken by the board and used for player welfare.
With that context, here are five players most likely to ignite bidding wars at the IPL 2026 auction. Each of them have registered themselves at a base price of ₹2 crore, along with 40 other players.
1. Cameron Green
Cameron Green is expected to be one of the headline names during the IPL 2026 auction. He’s an all-round overseas package with power hitting, seam bowling and finishing ability. All things that add immediate value to any T20 team. He has also entered the auction smartly as a “batter,” ensuring his name appears early when all teams still have full purses.
Green fetched ₹17.5 crore in 2023 when Mumbai Indians bought him, before moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a trade. Across two IPL seasons, he scored 707 runs at a strike rate of 153.70 in 29 matches. KKR, CSK and SRH are the early favourites, but Green’s versatility as a T20 cricketer will ensure competition from multiple bidders.
2. Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer became one of the biggest talking points last year when KKR paid ₹23.75 crore for him. Despite a quiet season, he will be one of the strongest Indian all-round names on the IPL 2026 auction day.
Iyer’s ability to open, finish and bowl seam-up makes him a valuable asset for any T20 side, similar to Green. KKR may attempt a buy-back, but RCB and LSG could enter a bidding battle too. RCB were keen on picking Iyer during the last auction. Iyer could also become a middle-order solution for several teams that released experienced hitters ahead of the auction. Mumbai Indians, however, will be unlikely bidders due to purse restrictions.
3. Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi enters the auction as one of the rarest commodities: a young, Indian wrist-spinner who delivers wickets in the middle overs and can bowl in the powerplay. He played for Lucknow Super Giants last season on an ₹11 crore contract.
SRH appear to be the frontrunners having released Rahul Chahar and looking for a wrist spinner ever since Rashid Khan left. CSK will also be interested in him after trading Ravindra Jadeja to RR and because Chepauk rewards spinners. They would be looking to pair him up with Noor Ahmad. Bishnoi’s value skyrockets because Indian spinners of his quality are scarce and several teams desperately need one after restructuring their bowling attacks.
4. Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana, CSK’s sling-armed yorker specialist, could become one of the most expensive overseas pacers this year. CSK retained him for ₹13 crore last season, showing how important he has already become in the IPL.
Death bowling is the rarest skill in the tournament and Pathirana consistently delivers at the end overs. RCB may chase him to fix their long-standing death overs issue, while KKR and LSG also lack an overseas quick of his style. Even CSK may re-enter the race if required but their rivals MI might fall short on their purse value.
5. Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone remains one of the most dangerous power hitters in T20 cricket. He can bat in the middle order as a stabiliser and in the lower middle order as a finisher. He also brings handy off-spin and leg-spin, which raises his all-round appeal.
Livingstone went to RCB for ₹8.75 crore last year, but his price could rise sharply this time because Glenn Maxwell opted out of the auction, leaving a gap for a similar profile of player.
Livingstone fits perfectly into the plans of CSK, SRH, PBKS and KKR, teams that want an explosive overseas batter who can also pitch in with a few overs.
IPL 2026 Auction Surprise Pick: Prithvi Shaw
It being a mini auction, Prithvi Shaw will generate a lot of interest. His intense powerplay hitting will excite teams and his recent form in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has revived his reputation. DC, KKR and PBKS are three teams that have relied on Indian top-order hitters, could bring him into the mix again.
The Mumbai batter carries tremendous domestic experience and familiarity with IPL pressure. In a mini auction, those factors often lead to aggressive bids.
Here’s the full trade and retention list announced by teams ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.