IPL Auction 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: Record Rs 14.2 cr bids for Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma; Cameron Green bags Rs 25.2 cr deal

IPL 2026 Players Auction HIGHLIGHTS: A total of 369 players went under the hammer as all 10 franchises looked to fine-tune their squads at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which concluded in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The standout moment of the day was Cameron Green’s Rs 25.20 crore move to Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the most expensive overseas purchase in IPL history. KKR further bolstered their line-up by signing Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore.

Another major theme of the auction was the rise of uncapped Indian players, who dominated bidding proceedings. Uttar Pradesh’s Prashant Veer was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 14.20 crore, while Jammu & Kashmir all-rounder Auqib Dar earned a Rs 8.40 crore deal from Delhi Capitals. Kartik Sharma also fetched Rs 14.20 crore, with CSK securing his services to complete a remarkable day for domestic talent.

At the start of the auction, franchises had 77 slots to fill, including 31 overseas positions, setting the stage for one of the most competitive mini-auctions in recent years. There was also keen interest in whether any bid would surpass Rishabh Pant’s Rs 27 crore record, set at last year’s mega auction by Lucknow Super Giants, a mark that ultimately remained intact.

Big purse gives KKR flexibility at auction table

Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders entered the auction with one of the strongest financial positions. The Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise had a purse of Rs 64.30 crore, allowing them to go all out for Green before completing a marquee signing in Pathirana.

CSK eye rebuild after disappointing 2025 season

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings were among the most active sides after enduring their worst-ever IPL campaign in 2025, finishing bottom of the points table. With Rs 43.40 crore available and nine slots to fill, CSK engaged in a bidding war with KKR for Green before spending over Rs 28 crore on two uncapped Indians- Prashant Veer, viewed as a potential long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja, and Kartik Sharma.

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings were among the most active sides after enduring their worst-ever IPL campaign in 2025, finishing bottom of the points table. With Rs 43.40 crore available and nine slots to fill, CSK engaged in a bidding war with KKR for Green before spending over Rs 28 crore on two uncapped Indians, Prashant Veer, viewed as a potential long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja, and Kartik Sharma.

In contrast, Mumbai Indians, the league’s most successful franchise with five titles, had limited room for manoeuvre, heading into the auction with just Rs 2.75 crore. While this restricted their spending, MI still managed to add experience by signing Quinton de Kock for Rs 1 crore.

With the auction now complete, franchises will turn their focus to striking the right balance between star power and squad depth as preparations begin for the IPL 2026 season.