IPL 2026 Auction: Top Stars Who Could Trigger Big Bidding Wars

Once again, India is the center of attention with the mini-auction of IPL 2026 coming up very soon, it will be a battle of destiny for 350 players while only 77 slots are available, including 31 for foreign players. While the auction anticipated to be the most intense one in the recent past surely will have a lot of action and strong bids as the teams prepare for the forthcoming season.

Franchises & Purses

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take part in the auction with a budget of ₹63.4 crores, the largest among all teams, as the result of their bold decision to release players like Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell among others. However, with the available 13 slots, they have still retained the strong nucleus of Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hold ₹43.4 crore after a huge transaction that brought in Sanju Samson at the cost of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians will be working with the least amount of money just ₹2.75 crore.

The auction will follow the role-based format introduced last year:

Batters → All-rounders → Wicketkeeper-batters → Pacers → Spinners → Uncapped categories, enabling franchises to build strategically.

Major Players to Watch Out For

Cameron Green (Australia)

Cameron Green has already created buzz by registering as a batter, ensuring all teams can bid for him early. With experience across MI (2023) and RCB (2024), he has:

707 runs, SR 153.69

1 century, 2 fifties

16 wickets, economy 9.07

Franchises value his long-term potential and all-round versatility.

Venkatesh Iyer (India)

Despite an inconsistent IPL 2025, Venkatesh Iyer remains a rare left-handed batting all-rounder with finishing potential and part-time bowling utility. KKR’s decision to release him was structural, not performance-based, and he is expected to draw multiple bids.

Ravi Bishnoi (India)

LSG’s decision to release Ravi Bishnoi has opened doors for rivals. At just 25, he brings:

Control in middle overs

Attacking wrist-spin

Excellent economy and longevity

Top Indian wrist-spinners rarely hit the auction pool—Bishnoi is set for aggressive bidding.

Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

Let go by CSK, Rachin Ravindra is now among the most intriguing top-order all-round options. His 2025 numbers:

191 runs in 8 innings

Handy left-arm spin

Strong fielding skills

Expected price range: ₹5–7 crore.

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

With KKR releasing 9 overseas players including de Kock, the wicketkeeper-opener market has become thin. His powerplay impact as a quick-scoring left-handed opener keeps him on multiple teams' radars.

Gerald Coetzee (South Africa)

Released by Gujarat Titans, Gerald Coetzee is now one of the top fast-bowling attractions:

Bowls 145–150 kmph

Aggressive enforcer

Ideal for teams lacking elite Indian pacers

Expect heavy competition for the young speedster.

David Miller (South Africa)

Despite a quiet IPL 2025, David Miller remains one of the most trusted finishers in the league:

3,000+ IPL runs

Proven death-overs hitter

Teams needing middle-order stability will eye him closely.

Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)

CSK ending their high-investment Pathirana project was unexpected. His dip in form may see teams attempt a buyback at a lower price, but competition is expected for the specialist death bowler.

Sarfaraz Khan (India)

After being ignored for years, Sarfaraz revived his T20 stocks with a stunning SMAT 2025, scoring:

187 runs, avg 93.50, SR 168.47

A blazing 47-ball century

At a base price of ₹75 lakh, and with experience at MI, RCB, and potential fit at KKR, Sarfaraz could be one of this auction’s smartest buys.

Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith’s return to the ₹2 crore bracket is intriguing. Absent since IPL 2021, and unsold for four consecutive auctions, he may again face resistance—but a franchise seeking leadership and stability may take a calculated punt.

Final Word

With massive purse imbalances, surprising releases, and rare talents in the pool, the IPL 2026 auction promises drama, strategy, and fierce bidding battles. Fans can expect several unexpected picks and record-breaking bids as franchises attempt a complete squad reset.