The IPL 2026 auction was held on 16 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. All 10 franchises were given a budget of ₹125 crore each. A total of 77 players were sold, with Cameron Green becoming the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.
IPL 2026 Auction: Key Stats
- Date: 16 December 2025
- Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Players Sold: 77 (29 overseas)
- Budget Per Franchise: ₹125 crore
- Total Money Spent: ₹215.45 crore
Top 10 Most Expensive IPL 2026 Auction Buys
1. Cameron Green — KKR — ₹25.20 Crore
Australia’s Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history. The explosive all-rounder can smash from the opening over and contributes useful medium-pace wickets. Under IPL salary cap rules, his effective pay is capped at ₹18 crore, with the excess going to BCCI’s player welfare fund.
2. Matheesha Pathirana — KKR — ₹18 Crore
Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana joined KKR for ₹18 crore. His distinctive slinging action and devastating yorkers make him one of the most feared death-over bowlers in the world. KKR secured the top two most expensive overseas buys of the auction.
3. Prashant Veer — CSK — ₹14.20 Crore
Uncapped Indian all-rounder Prashant Veer became the joint-most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. His hard-hitting batting and seam bowling made him CSK’s biggest domestic gamble in recent times.
4. Kartik Sharma — CSK — ₹14.20 Crore
CSK matched their own record by also paying ₹14.20 crore for uncapped Kartik Sharma — a remarkable double outlay on unproven domestic talent that set tongues wagging across the cricket world.
5. Liam Livingstone — SRH — ₹13 Crore
England’s power-hitting all-rounder Liam Livingstone joined Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13 crore. One of the most destructive T20 batters in the world, he also chips in with useful leg-spin and provides batting variety to SRH’s explosive lineup.
6. Mustafizur Rahman — KKR — ₹9.20 Crore
Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer was bought by KKR for ₹9.20 crore. However, Mustafizur was later asked to be released from the squad by the BCCI in January 2026 amid India-Bangladesh political tensions. KKR are permitted to name a replacement.
7. Josh Inglis — LSG — ₹8.60 Crore
Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis went to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8.60 crore. A hard-hitting opener with excellent keeping, Inglis is expected to form a formidable batting partnership with Rishabh Pant.
8. Auqib Nabi Dar — DC — ₹8.40 Crore
Young Indian seam bowler Auqib Nabi Dar was picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹8.40 crore, one of the biggest domestic buys outside CSK. His ability to swing the ball early makes him an exciting prospect.
9. Ravi Bishnoi — RR — ₹7.20 Crore
India’s leg-spin sensation Ravi Bishnoi joined Rajasthan Royals for ₹7.20 crore. A proven death-over specialist and wicket-taker, Bishnoi is a marquee addition to RR’s bowling arsenal.
10. Venkatesh Iyer — RCB — ₹7 Crore
All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer joined defending champions RCB for ₹7 crore. His left-hand batting punch and right-arm seam bowling add depth and flexibility to RCB’s lineup.
IPL 2026 Auction Records
- Most Expensive Overseas Player Ever: Cameron Green — KKR (₹25.20 crore)
- Previous Overseas Record: Mitchell Starc — KKR (₹24.75 crore, 2024)
- Joint Most Expensive Uncapped Players: Prashant Veer & Kartik Sharma — CSK (₹14.20 crore each)
- Total Spend: ₹215.45 crore
Notable Unsold Players at IPL 2026 Auction
Several high-profile players went unsold, including Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jonny Bairstow, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Alzarri Joseph, Gus Atkinson, Deepak Hooda, and Karn Sharma.