The IPL 2026 mini-auction delivered plenty of drama, intense bidding wars, and record-breaking moments as franchises went all out to strengthen their squads. With several teams entering the auction with healthy purses, aggressive bidding became the theme of the day, resulting in multiple historic deals.
The spotlight firmly remained on Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who emerged as the headline attraction of the auction. Kolkata Knight Riders, armed with the largest remaining budget, made a bold statement by securing Green for a massive ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player ever bought in IPL history.
Fast-bowling sensation Matheesha Pathirana continued his upward rise in franchise cricket as he attracted another big-money deal. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings stole attention by rewriting records in the uncapped players category, underlining their long-term vision and confidence in domestic talent.
Top 10 Most Expensive Buys – IPL 2026 Mini-Auction
| Rank | Player | Team | Price | Record / Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Green | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹25.20 crore | Most expensive overseas player in IPL history |
| 2 | Matheesha Pathirana | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹18 crore | Second-highest buy of the auction |
| 3 | Prashant Veer | Chennai Super Kings | ₹14.20 crore | Joint most expensive uncapped player in IPL history |
| 4 | Kartik Sharma | Chennai Super Kings | ₹14.20 crore | |
| 5 | Liam Livingstone | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ₹13 crore | Explosive middle-order all-rounder |
| 6 | Mustafizur Rahman | Kolkata Knight Riders | ₹9.20 crore | Most expensive Bangladesh player in IPL history |
| 7 | Josh Inglis | Lucknow Super Giants | ₹8.60 crore | Wicketkeeper-batter boost |
| 8 | Auqib Nabi | Delhi Capitals | ₹8.40 crore | High-potential fast bowler |
| 9 | Ravi Bishnoi | Rajasthan Royals | ₹7.20 crore | Experienced leg-spin option |
| 10 | Venkatesh Iyer | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹7 crore | Proven IPL all-rounder |
Big Takeaways from the Auction
The IPL 2026 mini-auction highlighted the premium value of genuine all-rounders and high-impact bowlers. Cameron Green’s record-breaking deal reflects how teams are willing to invest heavily in players who can contribute in multiple departments.
Kolkata Knight Riders were among the most aggressive franchises, focusing on marquee overseas talent to strengthen their core. Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, made a strong statement by backing uncapped Indian players, reinforcing their reputation for long-term planning and trust in domestic scouting.
Another notable trend was the rising demand for death-over specialists and versatile wicketkeeper-batters, as seen with the bids for Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman, and Josh Inglis.
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 mini-auction once again proved why it remains one of the most exciting events in world cricket. With record prices, bold franchise strategies, and fresh talent entering the league, the upcoming season promises high-quality competition and thrilling contests.
