IPL Auction 2026: KKR go big on Cameron Green as big names split sold and unsold
The IPL Auction 2026 opened with pace, drama, and sharp strategy. Teams arrived with clear plans. They chased impact players early. They also waited patiently for value buys. As a result, the first half of the mini auction in Abu Dhabi delivered surprises and statements.
To begin with, Kolkata Knight Riders set the tone. KKR went all in for Cameron Green. The Australian all-rounder entered the auction as a specialist batter. Even so, franchises valued his versatility. Rajasthan Royals started the bidding. Chennai Super Kings soon joined. However, KKR stayed firm. Finally, they closed the deal at ₹25.20 crore. That bid made Green the costliest overseas buy in IPL auction history.
Meanwhile, the auction started quietly with David Miller. Delhi Capitals picked the South African batter at his base price of ₹2 crore. The move surprised many. Miller brought experience and finishing power. Yet teams chose caution early.
In contrast, several high-profile names went unsold. Jake Fraser-McGurk found no bidders. Devon Conway also missed out. Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan failed to attract interest as well. Their absence raised eyebrows. Still, franchises expect late movement as team needs evolve.
Next, attention shifted to capped all-rounders. Venkatesh Iyer drew interest again. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants, and KKR joined the race. This time, RCB won. They secured Iyer for ₹7 crore. The price marked a steep drop from last season. Even so, RCB backed his domestic form and flexibility.
Then came the fast bowlers. Once again, KKR dominated. They locked in Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 crore. The Sri Lankan pacer attracted interest from Lucknow Super Giants. However, KKR used their strong purse wisely. They targeted pace as a priority.
At the same time, wicketkeepers saw mixed fortunes. Quinton de Kock returned to Mumbai Indians for ₹1 crore. Delhi Capitals signed Ben Duckett at base price. KKR skipped England’s Jamie Smith. Instead, they picked Finn Allen for ₹2 crore to boost their top order.
As the auction progressed, bowlers drew steady bids. Lucknow Super Giants signed Anrich Nortje for ₹2 crore. Royal Challengers Bengaluru picked Jacob Duffy at base price. Rajasthan Royals secured Ravi Bishnoi for ₹2 crore. These moves reflected a clear focus on balance rather than splurge.
However, several players still waited. Liam Livingstone, Rachin Ravindra, and Deepak Hooda remained unsold. Rahul Chahar also missed out. Teams chose patience. They saved funds for later sets and uncapped talent.
Looking ahead, franchises expect more action. A total of 369 players feature in the auction pool. Ten teams need to fill 77 slots. They hold a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore. CSK and KKR appear the busiest. Both teams hold cash and gaps to fill.
In conclusion, the IPL Auction 2026 delivered early fireworks. KKR sent the strongest message. Green and Pathirana reshaped their core. Meanwhile, unsold stars kept the suspense alive. The next rounds promise sharper bargains and fresh twists.
