Cameron Green is generating significant pre-auction buzz ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. The Australian all-rounder headlines a list of 45 players who have registered themselves at the maximum base price of INR 2 crore. A striking detail is that only two Indian players feature in this elite group.
Of the 1,355 players who have registered for the auction, franchises will be looking to fill 77 available slots. The deadline for teams to submit their shortlists is December 5, setting the stage for intense competition to acquire key players.
The two Indian players in the top price bracket are Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi. Iyer, previously with KKR, and Bishnoi, formerly with LSG, are expected to attract considerable interest.
Besides Green, other prominent international players with the maximum base price include England's Liam Livingstone, Sri Lankans Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana. Veteran Australian Steve Smith has also registered at the maximum base price. Some notable absentees from the list include Glenn Maxwell.
Several factors contribute to Green's high demand. After missing the 2025 season due to a back injury, he has made a strong comeback in T20Is for Australia, averaging 43 with a strike rate of over 168 in five matches this year. His versatility as a batting all-rounder makes him a valuable asset for any team.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter the auction with the largest purse of INR 64.3 crore and 12 slots to fill, including six overseas positions. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) follows with INR 43.4 crore and nine vacant spots. Both franchises are expected to be major contenders for Green's signature. Mumbai Indians, in contrast, have a tight budget with just INR 2.75 crore remaining.
The absence of many Indian players from the highest base price category may reflect teams' strategies of retaining their key Indian players or the emergence of a perception that the overseas players in the top bracket offer a unique skill set. It could also indicate confidence among franchises in finding valuable Indian talent at lower price points.
The IPL 2026 auction is significant as teams look to fine-tune their squads after retention and release decisions. The event in Abu Dhabi marks the third consecutive time the IPL auction has been held abroad. Franchises submitted their retention lists before November 15, retaining a total of 173 players.
