The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction, held ahead of the much-anticipated mega auction, witnessed a spectacular bidding war, with Australian pace spearheads Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins emerging as the joint-most expensive buys. Both players commanded a staggering price tag of Rs 20 crore each, setting a new benchmark for the auction.
Top Buys and Team Strategies
The auction saw franchises strategically investing in marquee players to bolster their squads before the complete team overhaul expected in the mega auction. Starc was acquired by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), marking a high-profile return to the franchise. On the other hand, Pat Cummins found a new home with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who were keen to add firepower to their bowling attack.
Other significant purchases included West Indies' powerhouse all-rounder Shimron Hetmyer, who was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for Rs 15 crore. England's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt also attracted intense bidding, eventually being secured by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 12 crore.
Notable Indian Acquisitions
While international stars dominated the top price brackets, several Indian talents also fetched impressive sums. Promising young batter Riyan Parag was signed by the Gujarat Titans (GT) for Rs 10 crore. Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will bring his experience to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp after being bought for Rs 8 crore.
The auction also saw strategic buys for specific roles. Afghanistan's spin wizard Rashid Khan was retained by his existing franchise, the Gujarat Titans, using a Right-to-Match (RTM) card for Rs 18 crore, a testament to his invaluable role in the team.
Context and Upcoming Mega Auction
This mini-auction was particularly crucial as it is the final trading window before the IPL 2026 mega auction. The mega auction is expected to involve a large-scale reshuffle of players across all ten teams, making these strategic investments key for franchises looking to build a core group to retain or buy back later.
The high prices for Starc and Cummins reflect the perennial premium on world-class fast bowlers in the T20 format, especially those with proven match-winning abilities. The spending patterns indicate that franchises are willing to break the bank for proven international stars who can deliver immediate impact.
With the mini-auction concluded, team think tanks will now analyze their strengthened squads for the upcoming season while simultaneously planning their long-term strategies for the mega auction, where the landscape of the league could change dramatically once again.
