The stage is set for a high-stakes battle of bids as the IPL 2026 auction kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Presiding over the high-profile event is the accomplished Mallika Sagar, who continues her groundbreaking run as the Indian Premier League's first and only female auctioneer. The fate of 369 players will be decided as the ten franchises look to fill a total of 77 available slots, with each team allowed a maximum squad of 25 players, including 8 overseas signings.
The Woman Behind the Gavel: Mallika Sagar's Historic Journey
Mallika Sagar, a 50-year-old art historian and auctioneer from Mumbai, is commanding the room for the fourth consecutive time at an IPL auction. Her journey to this pinnacle is a story of talent meeting opportunity. Born in 1975, Sagar studied Art History at Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia and made history at 26 by becoming the first Indian woman auctioneer at the prestigious Christie's in New York.
Her foray into sports auctioneering began with the Pro Kabaddi League in 2021, where she broke another barrier as the first female to conduct its auction. This was followed by her pioneering role as the auctioneer for the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL). Her major break in the men's IPL came unexpectedly during the 2023 auction when veteran Hugh Edmeades fell ill, and Sagar stepped in seamlessly to steer the proceedings. Her composure and skill cemented her position, leading the subsequent mini-auction, the 2025 mega-auction, and now the 2026 event.
Big Money and Surprising Unsold Stars at Abu Dhabi
The IPL 2026 auction began with a blockbuster sale. Australian powerhouse all-rounder Cameron Green sparked a fierce bidding war, ultimately being sold to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering ₹25.2 crore. The Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were also in the hunt, with CSK reportedly maxing out their bid at ₹25 crore.
Other notable deals included Mumbai Indians successfully buying back their former wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for his base price of ₹1 crore. Delhi Capitals secured the services of England's Ben Duckett for ₹2 crore, while KKR also added New Zealand's Fin Allen for the same amount.
However, the auction room also witnessed some surprising omissions. Several established names found no takers in the initial rounds. The list of unsold players so includes English wicketkeeper-batters Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Smith, explosive Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat.
A New Era of Auctioneering in Indian Sports
Mallika Sagar's consistent role at the helm of the IPL's most crucial off-field event marks a significant shift in the traditionally male-dominated sphere of sports business and broadcasting in India. Her expertise, initially honed in the world of fine art at galleries like Pundole's in Mumbai, has translated remarkably well to the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a sports auction.
As the IPL 2026 auction continues in Abu Dhabi, all eyes will remain on Sagar's gavel, which will determine the multi-crore destinies of players and shape the fortunes of the ten franchises for the upcoming season. Her leadership underscores the IPL's evolving identity, blending sporting passion with professional excellence from diverse fields.
