KKR spends big on Green while big stars miss out
The excitement of the IPL 2026 Auction reached a fever pitch in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, delivering a day filled with record-breaking bids, smart bargains, and shocking omissions. Franchises arrived with distinct strategies, some looking to overhaul their squads with massive spending, while others played the waiting game to snap up experienced campaigners at base prices.
KKR’s Massive Spending Spree
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were undoubtedly the aggressors of the day. They grabbed headlines by securing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering Rs 25.20 crore, making him the centerpiece of their new lineup. Not stopping there, KKR bolstered their pace attack by signing Sri Lankan sensation Matheesha Pathirana for a hefty Rs 18 crore. They also added depth with New Zealand’s Finn Allen (Rs 2 crore) and experienced pacer Mustafizur Rahman (Rs 9.2 crore), signaling their intent to dominate the upcoming season.
CSK and RR Invest in Youth and Spin
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stunned the auction floor with massive investments in uncapped Indian talent. In a surprising move, they shelled out Rs 14.20 crore each for Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, underlining a shift towards grooming future stars. They also added West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein for a distinct value buy of Rs 2 crore.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals (RR) focused heavily on their spin department. They brought back leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi for Rs 7.4 crore. Their strategy remained focused on maintaining a strong bowling core to complement their retained batting firepower.
Smart Buys: Experience on a Budget
While some teams splurged, others found incredible value. Delhi Capitals (DC) executed perhaps the smartest business of the day, securing proven international match-winners Ben Duckett and David Miller for their base prices of Rs 2 crore each.
Similarly, Mumbai Indians (MI) pulled off a heist by signing South African opener Quinton de Kock for just Rs 1 crore. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) strengthened their bowling stocks economically, grabbing speedster Anrich Nortje and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs 2 crore apiece. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also made calculated moves, bringing in all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore to solidify their middle order.
Uncapped Players Steal the Show
The accelerated round of the IPL 2026 Auction witnessed a frenzy for domestic talent. Beyond CSK’s massive bids, players like Auqib Nabi (Rs 8.4 crore to DC) and Mangesh Yadav (Rs 5.2 crore to RCB) walked away with life-changing contracts. This trend highlights the franchises' growing reliance on Indian domestic scouting over international reputation.
The Shocking Unsold List
However, the auction was not kind to everyone. Several high-profile names found no takers, reminding fans of the ruthless nature of the league. Explosive opener Prithvi Shaw and domestic run-machine Sarfaraz Khan went unsold at their base price of Rs 75 lakh.
International stars also faced rejection. New Zealand’s Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, along with England’s Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow, failed to attract any bids. Other notable names missing out included Deepak Hooda, KS Bharat, and Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Gujarat Titans and SRH Add Depth
Gujarat Titans (GT) added experience to their squad by purchasing Jason Holder for Rs 7 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) kept a lower profile in terms of massive individual bids but filled their roster gaps with players like Salil Arora (Rs 1.5 crore).
As the gavel came down, the squads looked refreshed and ready for a new cycle, setting the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling season ahead.
