The IPL 2026 mini-auction concluded in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with a flurry of record-breaking deals and surprising acquisitions, as the ten franchises filled the 77 available slots. A total of ₹215.45 crore was spent in the auction. Several players achieved their dream of being bought for the first time in their careers, marking a significant milestone.
Record-Breaking Buys
Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder, became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, fetching a staggering ₹25.2 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This bid surpassed Mitchell Starc's previous record of ₹24.75 crore in 2023. KKR also secured the services of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 crore.
Uncapped Indian Stars Shine
The auction spotlight also shone brightly on uncapped Indian players, with Prashant Veer, a left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh, and Kartik Sharma, a wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, creating history. Both were acquired by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹14.2 crore each, making them the joint-most expensive uncapped players in IPL auction history. Auqib Nabi Dar, a Jammu and Kashmir pacer, also landed a lucrative deal, going to Delhi Capitals (DC) for ₹8.4 crore.
First-Timers and Comebacks
Ravi Singh, a wicketkeeper-batter from Railways, earned his first IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals for ₹95 lakh. Brijesh Sharma was also sold to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 30 lakh. After initially going unsold, Sarfaraz Khan was picked up by CSK for ₹75 lakh. Prithvi Shaw also found a place at Delhi Capitals for ₹75 lakh after initially going unsold twice.
Other Notable Acquisitions
Several other players were bought for the first time in their careers, adding depth and excitement to the upcoming IPL season. Ben Dwarshuis, an Australian pacer, was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹4.4 crore after a bidding war with CSK and Gujarat Titans. Josh Inglis was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹8.6 crore. Liam Livingstone, after initially being unsold, was later acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13 crore. Venkatesh Iyer was sold to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹7 crore. David Miller was picked up by Delhi Capitals for his base price of ₹2 crore. Jacob Duffy was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 2 crore. Rachin Ravindra was bought by KKR for Rs 2 crore in the second round.
The IPL 2026 auction witnessed intense bidding wars and strategic acquisitions as teams aimed to bolster their squads for the upcoming season. With a mix of seasoned stars and fresh talent, the tournament promises to be an exciting spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.
