The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction in Dubai witnessed a historic, yet financially nuanced, moment as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player ever sold. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured his services with a staggering winning bid of Rs 25.2 crore. However, due to a new regulation introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Green will personally receive only Rs 18 crore of that massive sum.
The BCCI Rule That Caps Overseas Player Salaries
The pivotal factor behind Green's reduced take-home pay is a fresh BCCI guideline designed specifically for mini-auctions. The rule states that the maximum fee an overseas player can earn from a mini-auction is pegged to the highest retention price or the highest auction price from the last mega auction, whichever is lower.
In this case, the benchmark was set by Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was bought for Rs 27 crore in the previous mega auction. Since the highest retention price is Rs 18 crore, that figure becomes the absolute cap for any overseas player in the mini-auction. Any bid amount exceeding Rs 18 crore for a foreign recruit is directed to the BCCI's coffers, not the player's pocket. This rule was implemented after observing a trend of overseas players commanding disproportionately high sums in mini-auctions compared to their Indian counterparts.
A Fierce Bidding War for the Australian Star
Entering the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, Cameron Green was always anticipated to spark a intense bidding war, and he did not disappoint. The proceedings began with Mumbai Indians, despite having the smallest purse, opening the bid. They were soon joined by the Rajasthan Royals.
After Mumbai Indians dropped out, Kolkata Knight Riders entered the fray, competing with Rajasthan Royals. With RR having only Rs 16.05 crore left in their purse, KKR, armed with a massive Rs 64.30 crore, pushed ahead confidently. Once RR backed out, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings jumped in when the bid was at Rs 13.60 crore, setting up a thrilling duel between the two wealthiest franchises at the table.
KKR, seeking a powerful replacement following the IPL retirement of their star all-rounder Andre Russell, were determined to bring Green to Kolkata. CSK, in need of a proven power-hitter and finisher who could also contribute with the ball, matched them stride for stride. The two franchises drove the bid past the Rs 25 crore mark before KKR finally emerged victorious at Rs 25.2 crore.
Context and Implications of the Mega Auction Miss
Cameron Green's status as the top draw at this mini-auction was amplified by his absence from the previous mega auction due to injury. This meant franchises saw him as a rare, top-tier talent available in the smaller pool of players, justifying the aggressive pursuit.
The enforcement of the new salary cap rule signifies a strategic move by the BCCI to create a more balanced financial ecosystem within the IPL. It aims to prevent the auction purse from being overly dominated by bids for international stars, thereby ensuring a more equitable distribution of funds and potentially retaining more value for Indian domestic players. While Green's record bid makes headlines, the actual financial outcome underscores the evolving governance of the world's richest cricket league.
