IPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Complete Breakdown of Teams, Purse, Strategies and Player Lists

The platform is prepared for the TATA IPL 2026 Auction, which is set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Once the retention and release lists have been confirmed by the 10 franchises, the attention will be on bidding techniques, remaining budget amounts, and important gaps in team composition before the season starts.

Out of the 1,355 players who had originally signed up for the auction, the BCCI picked 350. Moreover, 35 more players, among them big names like Quinton de Kock, were put in the list later upon the suggestion of the franchises, which made the mega event even more exciting.

Teams, Purse and Squad Plans Ahead of Auction Day

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR enter the auction with the biggest purse of ₹64.30 crore and 13 slots to fill, including six overseas players. After releasing marquee names like Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock and Venkatesh Iyer, the franchise is expected to target a wicketkeeper and multiple all-rounders.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

CSK have ₹43.40 crore remaining with nine slots open. The franchise has retained MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad while trading in Sanju Samson. Their auction focus is likely to be a power-packed all-rounder and a seam-bowling backup.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

SRH have ₹25.50 crore in hand with 10 slots remaining. The team has retained core players such as Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, while Mohammed Shami has been traded to LSG. Strengthening the bowling depth is expected to be a priority.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

With ₹22.95 crore left and six slots to fill, LSG will aim to replace experienced names like David Miller and Ravi Bishnoi. Adding all-rounders and overseas depth remains central to their auction strategy.

Delhi Capitals (DC)

DC goes to the auction with a budget of ₹21.80 crore and a total of eight open slots, five of which will be filled with foreign players. The team will probably set its sights on top-order batters and foreign reinforcements after letting go of Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB possesses a total of ₹16.40 crore and there are still eight more slots to be filled. The team is searching for bowlers to support, particularly for Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, to alleviate workload concerns, with Virat Kohli heading the retained core.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

RR possesses ₹16.05 crores and 9 unoccupied slots. The team has released several main spinners, so it is expected that the franchise will concentrate on the spin department and also acquire a good fast bowler.

Gujarat Titans (GT)

GT enter the auction with ₹12.90 crore and five slots available, including four overseas. The franchise is expected to look for a finisher and an all-rounder after releasing Sherfane Rutherford.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

PBKS has a restricted budget of ₹11.50 crore and 4 places available. After parting ways with Glenn Maxwell, the team may search for another big-hitting player and an overseas player to maintain its balance.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

MI has only ₹2.75 crore left and is capable of filling five slots. Given that most of the roster spots have already been filled, and that they have a solid core of players such as Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah retained, MI is likely to make few, cheap additions.

What to Expect from IPL 2026 Auction

The IPL 2026 Auction is going to be very exciting as there are going to be 350 players available for bidding, which will lead to intense wars, surprising purchases and even tactical risks taken by the teams. The franchises that have more money will naturally be the ones putting in the most bids in the first few rounds, while the teams with little funds will just depend on smart scouting and value picks.

The fans are going to see international stars, young Indian players, and last-minute changes as the teams are going to be bringing in the new season.