Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering ₹25.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. This acquisition makes Green the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. However, due to the IPL's new "maximum fee" rule, Green will receive ₹18 crore, with the remaining ₹7.20 crore going to the IPL Players' Welfare Fund.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore addressed the media following the intense bidding war, expressing his satisfaction with the purchase. "Very happy, something we were focused on and hoping for. Happy with the price with which we got him," Mysore stated. He admitted there was always a concern about the price escalating too high but was relieved it stayed within their planned range. "Always a concern as to what we would've done had the price gone higher. Fact is we were very keen, but not so attached. If we felt it would affect rest of the auction, we would've let it go. Fortunately, came within the range we were looking at," he explained.
The bidding war for Green was fierce, with Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) initially showing interest. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) then entered the fray, driving the price past ₹16 crore. Eventually, it came down to a battle between KKR and CSK, with KKR ultimately winning the bid at ₹25.20 crore. Mysore said KKR was prepared for the bidding war and weren't surprised by CSK's entry. "No surprises. We were all prepared. We tried to prepare as much as possible," he said.
Mysore highlighted the value Green brings to the KKR squad, especially with Andre Russell joining as the new power coach. "He adds lot to our team, especially with our new power coach Andre Russell, very nice to have a young all-rounder," he noted. Green's all-round abilities and experience in both the IPL and international cricket were key factors in KKR's decision to pursue him. "Given his impact with both bat and ball and the conditions at Eden, we couldn't be happier with the outcome,” Mysore told broadcasters.
This will be Green's third IPL franchise, having previously played for Mumbai Indians in 2023 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024. In his IPL career, he has scored 707 runs in 29 matches at an average of 41.58 and a strike rate of over 153, including one century and two fifties. He has also taken 16 wickets.
Green entered the auction listed as a batter, but clarified that it was a clerical error and he would be bowling in the tournament. He broke two records at the auction, becoming the most expensive overseas player and attracting the most bids for a player, with 117. He surpassed Mitchell Starc, who was bought by KKR for ₹24.75 crore in 2024, as the most expensive overseas player.
