The excitement for the IPL 2026 Mini Auction is at its peak as the official registered-player numbers and final auction pool have been confirmed. With a record number of registrations and 40 players in the elite ₹2 crore bracket, this year’s auction promises high drama, intense bidding wars, and major squad reshuffles.
The mini-auction will be held on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, continuing the recent trend of overseas auction venues.
Record Registration: 1,390 Players Enter IPL 2026 Auction
The BCCI confirmed that 1,390 players registered for the IPL 2026 auction — one of the biggest pools in IPL history.
Full Breakdown of Registrations
- 1,390 total registered players
- 240 Indian players shortlisted
- 110 overseas players shortlisted
- 224 uncapped Indian players
- 14 uncapped overseas players
- 77 total slots available across 10 teams
- 31 overseas slots
After the retention deadline (Nov 15, 2025), the final auction shortlist has been trimmed to 350 players.
₹2 Crore Base Price – 40 Players in the Highest Bracket (Correct List)
The highest base price category features 40 players, including 2 Indians and 38 overseas stars.
These players represent some of the best international talent available this year.
Read Also:- Top 10 Most Expensive Over in IPL History
Official ₹2 Crore Players List (40 Players)
🇮🇳 INDIA
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Venkatesh Iyer
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA
- Cameron Green
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Sean Abbott
- Liam Livingstone
- Daryl Mitchell
- Steve Smith
- Josh Inglis
- Adam Milne
🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND
- Devon Conway
- Rachin Ravindra
- Finn Allen
- Matt Henry
- Kyle Jamieson
- Jacob Duffy
🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA
- David Miller
- Gerald Coetzee
- Anrich Nortje
- Lungi Ngidi
🇱🇰 SRI LANKA
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Matheesha Pathirana
🇧🇩 BANGLADESH
- Mustafizur Rahman
🇦🇫 AFGHANISTAN
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Naveen-ul-Haq
🇬🇧 ENGLAND
- Gus Atkinson
- Liam Dawson
- Ben Duckett
- Dan Lawrence
- Jamie Smith
- Tom Curran
OTHERS
- Jason Holder (WI)
- Alzarri Joseph (WI)
- Shai Hope (WI)
- Akeal Hosein (WI)
Big Stars Missing From IPL 2026 Auction
While the ₹2 crore list is stacked with global match-winners, several mega stars have completely opted out of IPL 2026.
Notable Absentees
- Glenn Maxwell – skipping IPL 2026 due to injury & workload
- Faf du Plessis – chooses PSL after 14 IPL seasons
- Moeen Ali – shifts full-time to PSL
- Andre Russell – becomes KKR’s “Power Coach”; retires from IPL
- David Warner – moved to PSL after going unsold in 2025
- Kane Williamson – focusing on PSL & other leagues
These exits open the door for a new generation of overseas power hitters, pacers, and all-rounders.
Cameron Green: The Biggest Auction Attraction
Among the ₹2 crore players, Cameron Green is widely expected to spark a bidding war.
Why Green Will Be a Hot Pick
- Missed IPL 2025 auction due to injury
- Fully fit now
- Provides 3D value: top-order batting, seam bowling, elite fielding
- Perfect replacement for teams missing power all-rounders
- KKR (₹64.3 crore purse) & CSK (₹43.4 crore purse) strongly linked
He is predicted to be one of the costliest buys of IPL 2026.
Read more: Top 3 Most Successful Teams in IPL History
Teams With the Most Money to Spend
Updated purse and slot availability:
| Team | Purse Left (₹ Cr) | Total Slots | Overseas Slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| KKR | 64.30 | 13 | 6 |
| CSK | 43.40 | 9 | 4 |
| SRH | 25.50 | 10 | 2 |
| LSG | 22.95 | 6 | 4 |
| DC | 21.80 | 8 | 5 |
| RCB | 16.40 | 8 | 2 |
| RR | 16.05 | 9 | 1 |
| GT | 12.90 | 5 | 4 |
| PBKS | 11.50 | 4 | 2 |
| MI | 2.75 | 5 | 1 |
KKR and CSK have the biggest war chests — and are expected to dominate bidding.
Major Trends Ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction
1. Big trade window reshapes teams
The blockbuster Samson–Jadeja–Curran trade between CSK & RR changed team strategies entirely.
2. Overseas all-rounders in huge demand
Green, Livingstone, Hasaranga, Mitchell, Holder — all expect strong bids.
3. Indian fast bowlers remain high-value picks
Teams lacking domestic pace options (MI, PBKS, RR) keen on local quicks.
4. Released Indian players like Shaw, Hooda, Sarfaraz could make comebacks
₹75 lakh bracket will be hugely competitive.
Final Word
The IPL 2026 Mini Auction is shaping up to be one of the most exciting, unpredictable, and high-stakes auction events in recent years.
With:
- A massive 1,390 registered players
- A strong final shortlist of 350
- 40 players in the elite ₹2 crore list
- Several mega stars opting out
- Huge purses with KKR & CSK
- Fresh trades reshaping squads
…the December 16 auction in Abu Dhabi is expected to redefine team combinations for the next few IPL seasons.
All eyes now turn to 2:30 PM IST, December 16, 2025, when franchises go all-out in the bidding war.
