The IPL 2026 mini auction at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena witnessed historic moments as franchises aggressively pursued top talent to strengthen their squads. With 369 players going under the hammer and ₹237.55 crore in combined purse available, the December 16 event delivered unexpected surprises and record-breaking deals that will shape the upcoming season.
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IPL 2026 Auction: Key Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | December 16, 2025 |
| Venue | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi |
| Start Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Total Players | 369 (246 Indians, 113 Overseas) |
| Available Slots | 77 across 10 franchises |
| Combined Purse | ₹237.55 Crore |
| Highest Purse | KKR (₹64.3 Crore) |
| Second Highest | CSK (₹43.4 Crore) |
| Biggest Buy | Cameron Green (₹25.20 Crore to KKR) |
Cameron Green Sets New Mini-Auction Record
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the star attraction, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing him for a staggering ₹25.20 crore after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings. This deal surpassed Mitchell Starc’s previous mini-auction record of ₹24.75 crore, though it remains below Rishabh Pant’s overall IPL record of ₹27 crore set at the 2025 mega auction.
The heated competition between KKR and CSK highlighted both franchises’ desperation to rebuild after disappointing previous seasons. Rajasthan Royals withdrew when bidding reached ₹13.60 crore, leaving the two giants to battle it out. For more cricket auction updates and IPL news, visit Technosports.
Surprising Snubs: Shaw and Sarfaraz Remain Unsold
The auction witnessed shocking developments as promising Indian batters went unsold. Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan both remained unsold at their base prices, despite strong domestic performances. Sarfaraz’s recent 73 off 22 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy couldn’t convince franchises to place bids, raising questions about team strategies and player valuations.
International stars also faced rejection, with England’s Gus Atkinson, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway failing to attract buyers at their ₹2 crore base prices.
Marquee Players and Base Price Breakdown
The highest ₹2 crore base price category featured approximately 40 marquee names, including Cameron Green, Steve Smith, David Miller, Quinton de Kock, Liam Livingstone, Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi. These players attracted aggressive bidding from franchises with substantial remaining purses.
The Indian Premier League governing council shortlisted players across multiple categories, ensuring diverse options for teams. At 39, Jalaj Saxena became the oldest player in the auction, while Afghanistan’s Wahidullah Zadran, just over 18 years old, was the youngest.
Team Strategies and Purse Management
Kolkata Knight Riders entered with the largest purse at ₹64.3 crore and 13 vacant slots (including six overseas positions), while Chennai Super Kings had ₹43.4 crore to fill nine roster vacancies. Mumbai Indians, having retained 20 players through trades and retentions, had merely ₹2.75 crore—the least among all franchises.
This marks the third consecutive year the IPL auction occurred outside India, following Dubai (2024) and Jeddah (2025). The Etihad Arena, the Middle East’s largest indoor venue, provided a spectacular backdrop for this high-stakes event.
Stay updated with live IPL coverage and cricket news at Technosports.
FAQs
Q: Who was the most expensive player at IPL 2026 auction?
A: Cameron Green became the most expensive player at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹25.20 crore after an intense bidding war with Chennai Super Kings. This surpassed Mitchell Starc’s previous mini-auction record.
Q: How many players participated in the IPL 2026 auction and what was the total purse?
A: The IPL 2026 auction featured 369 players (246 Indians and 113 overseas cricketers) competing for 77 available slots across 10 franchises. The combined purse was ₹237.55 crore, with KKR having the largest individual purse at ₹64.3 crore.
