The IPL 2026 Auction kicked off in Abu Dhabi, with intense bidding wars and strategic picks stealing the spotlight. Despite the excitement, big names like Jake Fraser McGurk, Prithvi Shaw, Devon Conway, and Liam Livingstone went unsold.
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became one of IPL's priciest players with a Rs 25.20 crore deal to Kolkata Knight Riders, making him the third most expensive player and the costliest overseas buy, surpassing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
After debuting with Mumbai Indians in 2023 and later playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Green's value soared. He scored 452 runs and took 6 wickets in 2023, and 255 runs with 10 wickets in 2024. He now joins the elite list of top buys, just behind Rishabh Pant (Rs27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (Rs26.75 crore).
Kolkata Knight Riders made big buys with Mitchell Starc (Rs 24.75 crore) in 2024 and Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 23.75 crore) in 2025. Pat Cummins went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore, while Sam Curran joined Punjab Kings for Rs 18.50 crore in 2023. Punjab also picked Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal for Rs 18.00 crore each in 2025. Green, bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 17.50 crore in 2023, saw his value rise.
Chennai Super Kings, with Rs 43.4 crore, splurged Rs 14.2 crore on uncapped Prashant Veer and Karik Sharma, after picking Akeal Hosein for Rs2 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad spent Rs30 lakh on Shivang Kumar.
Lucknow Super Giants picked Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs2 crore, while Delhi Capitals got Ben Duckett and David Miller at base price, then spent Rs 8.40 crore on Auqib Nabi Dar. Rajasthan Royals bought Ravi Bishnoi for Rs 7.20 crore, and Gujarat Titans picked Ashok Sharma for Rs 90 lakh.
