The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 player auction on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, witnessed history being made as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green shattered the record for the most expensive overseas player ever. In a fierce bidding war, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured Green's services for a staggering sum of ₹25.20 crore, far exceeding his base price of ₹2 crore.
Record-Breaking Bids and Key Buys
While Cameron Green's monumental deal was the undisputed headline, several other players found new homes. The auction saw strategic purchases across franchises. Delhi Capitals acquired the experienced David Miller for his base price of ₹2 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders, besides Green, also picked up New Zealand's Finn Allen for ₹2 crore.
In a significant domestic move, Venkatesh Iyer was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹7 crore. The Mumbai Indians secured the services of wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for his base price of ₹1 crore.
Notable Names Left Unsold
The auction room also had its share of surprises as several prominent cricketers failed to attract bids. A list of high-profile players went unsold, leaving fans and experts speculating. The unsold list included New Zealand's Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, India's Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, and explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Other notable names who did not find buyers were England's Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone, along with Indian players like Deepak Hooda and KS Bharat.
Team Strategies and Auction Aftermath
The auction results have set the stage for an intriguing IPL 2026 season. Kolkata Knight Riders' massive investment in Cameron Green signals their intent to build a powerful core around a world-class all-rounder. The unsold status of several talented players highlights the unpredictable and highly strategic nature of the auction process, where team needs, combinations, and purse management play a critical role.
Franchises will now analyze their updated squads and begin preparations for the tournament, with the mega auction setting the tone for team dynamics and rivalries in the coming season.
