IPL Auction 2026: Records Shattered in Abu Dhabi as Cameron Green Makes History
The road to the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League officially began on December 16, 2025, at the iconic Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. While it was a “Mini Auction,” the stakes were anything but small. With some of the biggest names in world cricket under the hammer and franchises armed with massive purses, the IPL 2026 auction delivered drama, record-breaking deals, and tactical surprises.
In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the auction results, the most expensive players, team-wise strategies, and how the newly implemented rules shaped the bidding wars.
1. The Headline Maker: Cameron Green to KKR for ₹25.20 Crore
The biggest story of the day was undoubtedly the Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Entering the auction as a batter, Green sparked a fierce four-way battle between Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Ultimately, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who entered the room with the largest purse of ₹64.30 crore, secured Green for a staggering ₹25.20 crore. This makes him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history and the third-most expensive overall. KKR’s decision to go all-in on Green shows their intent to fill the void left by Andre Russell’s retirement.
2. Matheesha Pathirana: The Most Expensive Sri Lankan
Another major highlight was the bidding for the “Baby Malinga,” Matheesha Pathirana. Known for his lethal death bowling, Pathirana was chased by several teams but was eventually bagged by KKR for ₹18 crore. This set a new benchmark for Sri Lankan players in the IPL, further solidifying KKR’s bowling attack.
3. Team-wise Auction Highlights and Key Buys
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – The Big Spenders–IPL Auction 2026
With a massive budget, KKR dominated the proceedings. Apart from Green and Pathirana, they also secured:
- Mustafizur Rahman: ₹9.20 crore
- Finn Allen: ₹2.00 crore
- Rahul Tripathi: ₹75 lakh (A bargain homecoming!)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Investing in the Future–IPL Auction 2026
CSK stayed true to their “talent scouting” reputation. While they missed out on Green, they shocked everyone by spending heavily on uncapped Indian stars:
- Prashant Veer: ₹14.20 crore
- Kartik Sharma: ₹14.20 crore
- Akeal Hosein: ₹2.00 crore (Base Price)
Mumbai Indians (MI) – The Return of Quinton de Kock–IPL Auction 2026
Operating with the smallest purse (₹2.75 crore), MI played it smart. The emotional highlight was bringing back Quinton de Kock for his base price of ₹1 crore. With their core already settled, MI focused on low-cost utility players like Danish Malewar and Mohammad Izhar.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Steals and Surprises–IPL Auction 2026
DC managed to grab two of the best bargains of the day:
- David Miller: ₹2.00 crore (Base Price)
- Ben Duckett: ₹2.00 crore (Base Price)However, they spent big on J&K pacer Auqib Nabi, securing him for ₹8.40 crore.
4. The “Maximum Fee Rule”: A Game Changer–IPL Auction 2026
The BCCI’s new “Maximum Fee Rule” was in full effect during this auction. Under this rule, no overseas player can earn more than ₹18 crore in a mini-auction.
Wait, then how did Cameron Green get ₹25.20 crore?
- The Catch: While the bidding can go higher, the player only receives ₹18 crore. The remaining amount (in Green’s case, ₹7.20 crore) goes to the BCCI’s player welfare fund. This rule was introduced to prevent overseas players from skipping mega-auctions to fetch higher prices in mini-auctions.
5. Top 5 Most Expensive Players in IPL 2026 Auction
| Player | Team | Price (₹ Crore) |
| Cameron Green | KKR | 25.20 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | KKR | 18.00 |
| Prashant Veer (Uncapped) | CSK | 14.20 |
| Kartik Sharma (Uncapped) | CSK | 14.20 |
| Auqib Nabi | DC | 8.40 |
6. Notable Unsold Players: The Big Shocks–IPL Auction 2026
Every auction has its share of heartbreaks. Despite their pedigree, several stars failed to attract a single bid:
- Prithvi Shaw: A shocking snub for the Indian opener.
- Liam Livingstone: One of the biggest T20 names went unsold.
- Rachin Ravindra & Devon Conway: The Kiwi duo found no takers.
- Deepak Hooda & Sarfaraz Khan: Both remained unsold in the initial and accelerated rounds.
7. Common Questions on IPL 2026 Auction
When is the IPL 2026 starting?
The BCCI has tentatively scheduled the IPL 2026 season to begin on March 26, 2026, with the final set for May 31.
Where was the IPL 2026 auction held?
The auction was held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on December 16, 2025.
Who is the most expensive player in the IPL 2026 auction?
Cameron Green is the most expensive player, bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹25.20 crore.
What is the RTM rule for the 2026 auction?
Since this was a Mini Auction, the Right to Match (RTM) card was not available to any franchise.
Conclusion: Who Won the IPL Auction 2026?
On paper, Kolkata Knight Riders look like the clear winners, having secured a world-class all-rounder and a death-bowling specialist. Chennai Super Kings took a bold gamble on youth, which could either be a masterstroke or a risky move. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants added solid depth without breaking the bank.-IPL Auction 2026
As the teams head back to India to prepare for the 2026 season, the excitement among fans is at an all-time high. Will Cameron Green justify his price tag? Can the uncapped stars of CSK become the next big thing? Only time will tell.
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