The wait is almost over! The IPL 2026 mini auction drops on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and it’s going to be electric. From an initial pool of 1,355 registered players, the BCCI has trimmed the list to 359 contenders—all vying for just 77 available slots across 10 franchises.
Table of Contents
IPL 2026 Auction Breakdown: Who’s In?
| Player Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 🏏 Capped Indians | 16 |
| 🌍 Capped Overseas | 98 |
| ⭐ Uncapped Indians | 230 |
| 🌏 Uncapped Overseas | 14 |
| 🏆 Associate Nations | 1 |
| Total Players | 359 |
Base Price Distribution
The auction features eight price brackets, with 40 players entering at the premium ₹2 crore mark—but only 77 total spots mean intense competition ahead.
| Base Price (₹ Lakhs) | Players |
|---|---|
| 200 | 40 |
| 150 | 9 |
| 125 | 4 |
| 100 | 17 |
| 75 | 44 |
| 50 | 4 |
| 40 | 7 |
| 30 | 234 |
Star Names to Watch
Cameron Green headlines the auction after recovering from injury that kept him out of the mega auction. The Australian all-rounder is available for the entire season and could trigger bidding wars.
Prithvi Shaw returns with a ₹75 lakh base price, seeking redemption after being released by Delhi Capitals. His aggressive batting style could attract franchises looking for explosive openers.
Sarfaraz Khan, another Indian talent at ₹75 lakh, brings domestic dominance and hunger to prove himself at the IPL level.
International superstars like Steve Smith, David Miller, Wanindu Hasaranga, and England’s rising stars Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson (both at ₹2 crore) will be hot commodities.
Key Auction Details
Date: December 16, 2025
Venue: Abu Dhabi
Available Slots: 46 Indian, 31 Overseas
Youngest Player: Sahil Parakh (17 years old)
Oldest Player: Jalaj Saxena (turns 39 on auction eve)
The accelerated round begins after the first 70 players, meaning franchises submit wishlists, and only nominated players go under the hammer—strategy matters!
Looking for deeper insights? Check out IPL auction strategies and player performance breakdowns to understand which picks could be game-changers.
FAQs
Q: How many slots are available at the IPL 2026 auction?
A: There are 77 total slots available—46 for Indian players and 31 for overseas cricketers. With 359 players in the pool, competition will be fierce, especially for overseas spots where 110 international players are fighting for just 31 positions.
Q: What is the highest base price at IPL 2026 auction?
A: The highest base price is ₹2 crore (₹200 lakhs), with 40 players listed at this premium bracket. Standout names include Cameron Green, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, Steve Smith, and Wanindu Hasaranga. The majority (234 players) enter at the minimum ₹30 lakh base price.
