IPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Sold & Unsold Players List

The IPL 2026 Auction lived up to its billing, producing one of the most dramatic auction nights in league history. Held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, franchises entered the room with clear strategies—some chasing proven international stars, others betting heavily on India’s next generation.

With only 77 slots available and a massive ₹237+ crore combined purse, teams were forced to make ruthless decisions. The result was a fascinating mix of record-breaking bids, shock releases, and several marquee names going unsold in the initial rounds.

Biggest Talking Points from IPL 2026 Auction

Cameron Green Creates History

📽️ Cameron Green is a KNIGHT 💜

The all-rounder had the auction room buzzing 🔥

He becomes the most expensive overseas pick in the history of #TATAIPLAuction 😮👏#TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/DtB9aixO3o

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 16, 2025

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player ever, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurging ₹25.20 crore. The move signals KKR’s shift towards power-hitters who can contribute across departments.

CSK’s Youth Revolution

Chennai Super Kings stunned everyone by spending ₹14.20 crore each on two uncapped Indian players:

• Prashant Veer (All-rounder)
• Kartik Sharma (Wicketkeeper-batter)

This aggressive approach suggests CSK are preparing for a future beyond MS Dhoni.

Uncapped Players Dominate Headlines

Players like Auqib Nabi Dar (₹8.40 crore) and Mangesh Yadav (₹5.20 crore) proved that franchises are now willing to invest big in raw domestic talent rather than rely solely on international experience.

Top 10 Most Expensive Buys – IPL 2026 Auction

Player	Team	Price

Cameron Green

KKR

₹25.20 Cr

Matheesha Pathirana

KKR

₹18.00 Cr

Prashant Veer

CSK

₹14.20 Cr

Kartik Sharma

CSK

₹14.20 Cr

Liam Livingstone

SRH

₹13.00 Cr

Mustafizur Rahman

KKR

₹9.20 Cr

Auqib Nabi Dar

DC

₹8.40 Cr

Josh Inglis

LSG

₹8.60 Cr

Ravi Bishnoi

RR

₹7.20 Cr

Venkatesh Iyer

RCB

₹7.00 Cr

Team-Wise Auction Signings (Key Players Only)

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
• Prashant Veer – ₹14.20 Cr
• Kartik Sharma – ₹14.20 Cr
• Rahul Chahar – ₹5.20 Cr
• Sarfaraz Khan – ₹75 L
• Matt Henry – ₹2 Cr
• Auction Strategy: Long-term planning, uncapped Indian core.

• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
• Cameron Green – ₹25.20 Cr
• Matheesha Pathirana – ₹18 Cr
• Mustafizur Rahman – ₹9.20 Cr
• Finn Allen – ₹2 Cr
• Auction Strategy: Power-packed overseas dominance.

• Delhi Capitals (DC)
• David Miller – ₹2 Cr
• Auqib Nabi Dar – ₹8.40 Cr
• Pathum Nissanka – ₹4 Cr
• Prithvi Shaw – ₹75 L
• Auction Strategy: Balanced rebuild with experience + youth.

• Mumbai Indians (MI)
• Quinton de Kock – ₹1 Cr
• Atharva Ankolekar – ₹30 L
• Auction Strategy: Minimal spending, trust in retained core.

• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
• Liam Livingstone – ₹13 Cr
• Jack Edwards – ₹3 Cr
• Shivam Mavi – ₹75 L
• Auction Strategy: Middle-order firepower and pace depth.

Notable Unsold Players

• Despite strong reputations, several big names failed to attract bids:
• Jonny Bairstow
• Devon Conway
• Maheesh Theekshana
• Deepak Hooda
• KS Bharat
• Their unsold status highlights the league’s evolving priorities—impact over reputation.

Auction Statistics Snapshot

What This Auction Tells Us About IPL’s Future

The IPL 2026 Auction confirmed a major shift:

• Franchises now value domestic potential over ageing stars
• Uncapped Indian players are no longer budget picks
• Teams are building 3–5 year cores, not short-term squads

This trend could redefine how future auctions are approached.

Conclusion

The IPL 2026 Auction wasn’t just about big money—it was about bold thinking. From KKR’s record-breaking Cameron Green deal to CSK’s youth-first approach, the auction set the tone for a fascinating season ahead. With squads now locked and strategies revealed, fans can expect one of the most unpredictable IPL seasons ever.

Recommend Articles to read

IPL 2025 Points Table, Standings & Team Rankings
https://cricketbuzznews.com/ipl-2025-points-table-standings-rankings/

IPL 2025 Fights & Controversies: Heated Moments on the Field
https://cricketbuzznews.com/ipl-2025-fights-controversies/