IPL 2026 Auction: KKR's Record Splurge on Green Steals the Show!

The IPL 2026 mini-auction unfolded on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, where all 10 franchises targeted specific squad gaps with calculated spends. Kolkata Knight Riders dominated headlines by breaking the overseas player record, while Chennai Super Kings shifted gears towards uncapped Indian talent. Fast bowlers and versatile all-rounders fetched premiums, leaving 79 players unsold amid tight purses post early splurges.​

Record-Breaking Top Buys

Cameron Green emerged as the auction's crown jewel, fetched by KKR for a staggering ₹25.20 crore after a fierce four-team battle—marking the highest price for an overseas player in IPL history. KKR doubled down on pace firepower with Matheesha Pathirana at ₹18 crore and Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore. CSK made waves by investing heavily in young Indians like Prashant Veer (₹14.2 crore) and Kartik Sharma, signaling a youth-focused rebuild.​

Team-Wise Strategies and Key Picks

Teams balanced retained cores with smart reinforcements, prioritizing all-round depth and bowling variety.

Team

Purse Spent Highlights

Standout Buys

KKR

Nearly exhausted purse on premium attack

Cameron Green (₹25.20 Cr), Pathirana (₹18 Cr), Mustafizur (₹9.20 Cr)​

CSK

Big on uncapped Indians, tradition-breaking

Prashant Veer (₹14.2 Cr), Kartik Sharma​

RCB

Middle-order and all-round boosts

Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav​

SRH

Power-hitting finishers

Liam Livingstone (late accelerated round)​

LSG/RR/PBKS

Value overseas and quicks

Josh Inglis, Wanindu Hasaranga​

Other franchises like MI and DC stayed measured, rounding out with budget pacers and domestic finishers.​

Unsold Players and Auction Stats

Exactly 79 players remained unsold—48 Indians and 31 overseas—including mid-tier batters like Prithvi Shaw, highlighting bidder caution on specialists. A total of 29 overseas stars changed hands for over ₹128 crore, completing squads primed for aggressive 2026 powerplays.​

What It Means for IPL 2026 on Tiger Exchange

This auction sets up a bowler-heavy season with flexible lineups, perfect for high-stakes betting action on Tiger Exchange. Expect KKR's Green-led attack to challenge in chases, while CSK's fresh talent could spark surprises. Track live odds, player props, and match previews on our platform as IPL 2026 ramps up—join now for exclusive tips!