The cricketing spotlight shifts to Abu Dhabi today as the much-anticipated mini-auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season gets underway. The event, a strategic pit-stop for franchises, will see ten teams battle it out to secure talent from a pool of 369 cricketers, aiming to fine-tune their squads for the upcoming campaign.
Auction Pool and Team Dynamics
A total of 369 players have thrown their hats in the ring, with a significant majority being homegrown talent. The list comprises 254 Indian players and 115 overseas cricketers. In terms of experience, 114 are capped internationals, while 255 are uncapped players looking for their big break. The franchises collectively have a substantial purse of ₹237.55 crore remaining to fill a maximum of 77 available slots. Of these slots, 31 are open for foreign players, adhering to the league's rule of a maximum of eight overseas signings per squad of 25.
Unlike a mega auction that prompts a complete overhaul, this mini-auction is primarily about strategic adjustments. However, some teams are expected to be busier than others. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hold the fattest purse at ₹64.3 crore, putting them in a powerful position. They are followed by defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with ₹43.40 crore and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with ₹25.50 crore. It is important to note that the Right-to-Match (RTM) card will not be in play during this event.
Star-Studded List with Top Base Prices
The auction features a glittering array of international stars, all listed at the highest base price of ₹2 crore. The Indian contingent in this elite bracket includes all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Australian power is represented by the likes of big-hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk, all-rounder Cameron Green, veteran Steve Smith, and others including Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, and Cooper Connolly.
England has a strong presence with Gus Atkinson, Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, and Jamie Smith among others. New Zealand's key players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Kyle Jamieson are also in the ₹2 crore bracket. The list extends to top performers from South Africa (David Miller, Gerald Coetzee), Sri Lanka (Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana), West Indies (Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph), Afghanistan (Mujeeb Ur Rahman), and Bangladesh (Mustafizur Rahman).
How and When to Watch the Auction Live
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for Tuesday, 16 December, starting at 2:30 PM IST. The venue is the iconic Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. For fans in India, the live streaming will be available on the JioCinema app and website. The television broadcast will be carried by the Star Sports Network channels. The bidding war promises to set the tone for the IPL 2026 season as teams strategically invest their crores to build a winning combination.
