Complete guide to the bidding war starting Tuesday in Abu Dhabi
The wait is finally over for cricket enthusiasts across the globe. The stage is set in Abu Dhabi for the highly anticipated IPL Auction 2026, scheduled to take place this Tuesday afternoon. As franchises prepare their paddles, a total of 359 shortlisted cricketers are holding their breath, hoping to find a home in the world’s toughest T20 league.
Despite the large pool of talent, the competition will be fierce. There are only 77 open slots available across the ten franchises, with a maximum of 31 spots reserved for overseas talent.
All Eyes on Cameron Green
If early market trends are anything to go by, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is shaping up to be the auction's hottest property. Analysts predict a massive bidding war as multiple teams look to secure his services. However, the spotlight is also firmly on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The purple brigade enters the auction room with the heaviest wallet, boasting a massive remaining purse of Rs 64.30 crore.
However, KKR's high budget comes with high pressure. They currently have the most depleted squad, needing to fill 13 vacancies—the highest among all teams. Their strategy will be crucial in determining the balance of power for the upcoming season.
High Stakes for Indian Stars
Among the pool of players, 40 elite cricketers have listed themselves at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore. Interestingly, this top-tier list features only two Indian faces: Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
Iyer’s return to the auction pool is particularly interesting. In the previous auction, KKR broke the bank for him with a staggering bid of Rs 23.75 crore. Unfortunately, the investment did not pay off as expected. The all-rounder struggled to justify the price tag and eventually lost his spot in the playing XI midway through the season. It remains to be seen if franchises will take another big gamble on him this year.
IPL Auction 2026: Key Details
For fans tuning in from Odisha and across India, here is the essential schedule:
As the hammer goes down in Abu Dhabi, expect surprises, record-breaking bids, and plenty of drama as the squads for IPL 2026 take their final shape.
