IPL 2026 Auction Recap: KKR Break Records as Big Names and Uncapped Players Shine
The IPL 2026 mega auction delivered high drama and record-breaking deals, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerging as one of the biggest spenders of the day. The franchise stunned everyone by securing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a massive ₹25.20 crore and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 crore.
Green’s price tag set a new benchmark, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history, overtaking Mitchell Starc’s earlier record. The bidding for Green witnessed a fierce battle, particularly between KKR and Chennai Super Kings, before Kolkata sealed the deal. Under IPL rules for overseas players, Green will receive ₹18 crore as salary, while the remaining amount will be directed toward the BCCI’s player development fund.
Pathirana’s acquisition followed intense competition involving Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. Starting from a base price of ₹2 crore, he went on to become the costliest Sri Lankan player ever bought at an IPL auction and will earn the full bid amount within the team’s salary cap.
Despite recent strong domestic performances, Indian batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold, surprising many observers. Sarfaraz, in particular, had drawn attention after a blistering 73-run knock off just 22 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully signed Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore after KKR pulled out of the bidding. Delhi Capitals picked up South African veteran David Miller at his base price of ₹2 crore, while New Zealand opener Devon Conway found no takers at the same valuation.
Mumbai Indians brought back Quinton de Kock for ₹1 crore, marking his return at a bargain price. Meanwhile, Australian pacer Spencer Johnson remained unsold, but South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje joined Lucknow Super Giants after entering the auction at ₹2 crore.
Sunrisers Hyderabad were among the most aggressive bidders, landing England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for ₹13 crore. Known for his explosive T20 credentials, Livingstone has scored close to 7,500 runs and claimed 143 wickets in the format. His strong performances in The Hundred and the Vitality Blast boosted his demand, despite a quieter IPL 2025 season. SRH further strengthened their squad by adding Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for ₹8.6 crore, young all-rounder Jack Edwards for ₹3 crore, and pacer Shivam Mavi for ₹75 lakh.
KKR continued reinforcing their lineup by signing New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for ₹2 crore. Ravindra’s recent success across international and domestic T20 competitions added balance to the squad. The franchise also re-signed Bengal pacer Akash Deep at his base price, relying on his domestic consistency.
Chennai Super Kings focused on enhancing their bowling unit, acquiring leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for ₹5.2 crore and New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry for ₹2 crore. Henry joins after an impressive year, including standout performances in the Champions Trophy. CSK also picked up Sarfaraz Khan at a modest price, adding depth to their batting resources.
Punjab Kings bolstered their pace attack with Australian left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis, while Delhi Capitals added South African quick Lungi Ngidi and emerging all-rounder Sahil Parikh.
Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru made several value purchases, but the auction also featured notable omissions. Players such as Jake Fraser-McGurk, Deepak Hooda, and Spencer Johnson remained without contracts, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the bidding process.
