IPL 2026 Auction Preview, The excitement is building as the countdown begins for the IPL 2026 auction, and you can already feel the buzz in the cricketing world. With a massive pool of 1,355 registered players and a star-studded list in the premium price bracket, this year’s auction promises fireworks. But amidst all the noise, one name stands tall—Cameron Green. The Australian all-rounder leads the pack of 45 elite players listed at the highest base price of ₹2 crore, setting the stage for an intense bidding war.
Let’s break down everything you need to know—key players, team strategies, surprise omissions, and what makes this auction one of the most anticipated ones yet.
A Bigger, Busier Auction Pool for 2026
The IPL organizers have shared the long list of 1,355 registered players with all ten franchises after closing entries on November 30. Each team has until December 5 to submit its preferred shortlist ahead of the day-long auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
With a maximum of 25 players per squad and 77 total slots available, including 31 overseas spots, franchises must strategize wisely. It’s a bit like shopping with a limited budget in a store full of luxury brands—you just can’t have everything, so every pick counts.
Cameron Green Tops the List of ₹2 Crore Base-Price Stars
The spotlight this season is firmly on Cameron Green, who skipped the 2025 mega-auction due to a back injury. But now he’s back—and the demand for him might be hotter than a Mumbai summer. Green’s all-round ability—power-hitting, seam bowling, gritty fielding—makes him a complete T20 package.
He joins names like Liam Livingstone, Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, and Matheesha Pathirana in the ₹2 crore club. All these players bring something unique to the table, which is why they’ve confidently placed themselves in the premium tier.
Franchise Purses: Who Can Spend Big?
Not all teams walk into the auction with the same wallet size, and that plays a massive role in who they can chase.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – ₹43.4 Crore
A healthy purse and nine available slots, including four overseas positions. After releasing several players, CSK might be eyeing reinforcements for both pace and middle-order stability.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – ₹64.3 Crore
KKR has the biggest purse this season—and that’s dangerous for other teams. Why? Because they can go all-out for top-tier talent without worrying about overspending.
With 12 total slots, including six overseas, KKR is expected to target Cameron Green aggressively, especially after Andre Russell’s retirement. Green’s versatility offers a seamless replacement for the Windies legend.
Released Players Chase Premium Base Price
Several players who were released ahead of the auction have also chosen the top bracket of ₹2 crore, signaling confidence—or perhaps a strategic move to attract attention.
Matheesha Pathirana
CSK retained him for ₹13 crore last season, but injuries dented his performance. Still, his death-overs expertise makes him one of the most attractive options for teams struggling in the final overs.
Liam Livingstone
Once seen as a destructive all-rounder for RCB, Livingstone returns to the auction after an underwhelming season. Yet, his ability to clear boundaries effortlessly ensures he will still be on many teams’ radar.
Ravi Bishnoi & Venkatesh Iyer
Both Indian stars have listed themselves at the ₹2 crore base price. Bishnoi, surprisingly let go by LSG after four seasons, will be sought after by teams looking to strengthen their spin department.
Glenn Maxwell: A Surprising Absence
One of the biggest talking points—Glenn Maxwell is missing from the long list.
At 37, Maxwell fractured his finger during the 2025 season and was replaced by Mitchell Owen, who has now been retained. His absence hints at a possible break or reconsideration of his IPL future.
For a player who was once the heartbeat of many IPL campaigns, this is quite a twist.
Josh Inglis Returns—But with a Catch
Another interesting entry is Josh Inglis, who had a key role in PBKS’ run to the 2025 final. He’s surprisingly back in the auction pool despite performing well.
However, the IPL has stated that Inglis will be available for only 25% of the season due to personal commitments. That makes things tricky for franchises—do they invest in a part-time player or look elsewhere?
Complete List of Players with ₹2 Crore Base Price
IPL 2026 Auction Preview, Here are all the players in the top bracket:
Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph.
If you’re a franchise analyst, this list probably feels like a buffet where everything looks delicious—but you can only pick a few dishes.
Why Cameron Green May Trigger a Bidding Frenzy
Green brings a rare blend of qualities:
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Reliable middle-order hitting
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Steady medium-pace bowling
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Flexibility to bat anywhere from opener to finisher
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High-level fielding
With teams like CSK and KKR holding huge purses, the battle for Cameron Green might be the highlight of the event.
What to Expect on Auction Day
The Abu Dhabi auction promises:
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Intense bidding wars
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Surprise breakout buys
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Veteran players making comebacks
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Teams reshaping their cores
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Huge contracts for all-rounders and power hitters
One thing is certain—this is not going to be a quiet auction. It’s a blockbuster in the making.
Read More: IPL 2026 Auction Returns to India on December 15 | WPL 2025 Mega Auction Preview
Conclusion
IPL 2026 Auction Preview, The IPL 2026 auction is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years. With a rich mix of young talent, unexpected releases, and top-tier stars like Cameron Green in the premium base-price segment, franchises have some big decisions to make. As teams finalize their shortlists and prepare their strategies, fans can gear up for a dramatic, unpredictable, and hugely entertaining auction day on December 16.
