IPL 2026 Mini Auction Guide: Purse, Teams and Top Targets
IPL 2026 mini auction takes place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi as KKR, CSK and other teams eye top players with ₹237.55 crore up for grabs.
IPL 2026 Auction: Teams ready for big bidding battles
Abu Dhabi sets the scene for the IPL 2026 mini auction, which is going to be held on December 16 at 2:30 PM IST. The new IPL season is estimated to start in the second half of March 2026, thus all the ten franchises are getting ready for the bidding war to refine their teams.
Mini auction this year is very interesting, to say the least, since there is a total amount of ₹237.55 crore and 77 player slots to be filled up. Though there will be some fireworks in the signing of stars, the main scoping by the teams will be done through the good buying of players to fill gaps rather than go for complete re-modelling their team from scratch.
KKR and CSK Claim the Leading Roles in Auction Day
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning champs, come into the auction with the lion's share of ₹64.3 crores which is historic for a mini auction. The power of their financial strength permits them to establish the trends in the bidding process as they are in the process of finding a long-term replacement for the retired Andre Russell.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are not far behind with ₹43.4 crore purse, thus they are in a very good position to reinforce the future of talent around the existing core of players that still includes MS Dhoni.
Remaining Purses Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction
- Kolkata Knight Riders – ₹64.3 crore
- Chennai Super Kings – ₹43.4 crore
- Sunrisers Hyderabad – ₹25.5 crore
- Lucknow Super Giants – ₹22.95 crore
- Delhi Capitals – ₹21.8 crore
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru – ₹16.4 crore
- Rajasthan Royals – ₹16.05 crore
- Gujarat Titans – ₹12.9 crore
- Punjab Kings – ₹11.5 crore
- Mumbai Indians – ₹2.75 crore
Mumbai Indians Going to Shop with Very Little Money
Mumbai Indians, with a budget of ₹2.75 crore and five available players (one of them has to be an overseas player), will be highly likely to sign players at a bargain. After letting go off the foreign pacers like Reece Topley and Lizaad Williams, MI might go for a cheap pacer to cover the ground for Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
Cameron Green Might Set the Auction Floor Ablaze
Australian versatile player Cameron Green could be the one-to-watch at the auction. Even though he got registered as a batter due to a mistake in the paperwork—afterwards, it was clarified that he could bowl—his adaptability has made him highly wanted. KKR, with their gigantic budget and the need for a powerful all-rounder, are considered to be the front-runners.
The Spotlight on the Young Talent
Capped players, Kartik Sharma has been noticed as a future investment if he is to be a middle-order batter and wicketkeeper. He may be just 19 but he has performed brilliantly in the domestic circuit and thus has caught the eye of franchises that are inclined to build Indian depth with young talent.
What’s at Stake
The auction pool comprises a total of 359 players, among them are 110 overseas players, and the maximum number of foreign players that can be sold is 31. The mega auction headlines may feature star names, but the IPL 2026 mini auction will also be about smart spending, role-based picks, and building balance ahead of a long season just like strategy.
As heavy-weight franchises such as KKR and CSK are in control of the purse strings, expect sharp tactics, surprise bids, and a few unexpected steals when the hammer comes down in Abu Dhabi.
