Will IPL 2026 Auction Highlight Green, Livingstone, and Bishnoi?
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Synopsis
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, franchises are gearing up for intense bidding, with stars like Cameron Green and Liam Livingstone in the spotlight. With 77 slots available and significant budgets at stake, the competition is fierce. This year's auction will be held outside India once again, making it a historic event.
Key Takeaways
- Cameron Green is expected to be a major draw with projected bids over Rs 25 crore.
- A total of 77 slots are available in the auction.
- Franchises are preparing to invest heavily to build a winning squad.
- This auction marks the third consecutive year held outside India.
- All teams are keenly observing uncapped players like Auqib Nabi.
New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) The focus will be on Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, and Ravi Bishnoi as ten franchises prepare for the IPL 2026 auction, scheduled to occur at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. This marks the third consecutive IPL auction to be held outside of India, following Dubai (2024) and Jeddah (2025).
All ten teams are anticipated to loosen their budgets in pursuit of star players and aim for a squad capable of clinching the IPL 2026 trophy. There are a total of 77 available slots, including 31 designated for overseas players. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), three-time champions, have the most available spots with 13, closely followed by the 2016 titleholders Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with ten.
Out of a longlist of 1,355 players, 359 have been shortlisted – comprising 244 Indian and 115 foreign players. Forty players have entered the auction at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore, with Bishnoi and Venkatesh Iyer being the only Indian players in that category.
Green, the Australian seam-bowling all-rounder, is projected to be the most sought-after player, with bids expected to exceed Rs 25 crore due to the imbalanced demand-supply ratio in this mini IPL auction.
In addition to Bishnoi and Green, the England pair of Liam Livingstone and Jamie Smith, along with New Zealand's pacer Matt Henry, keeper-batter Tim Seifert, and South African batter David Miller, are also likely to generate significant interest from all teams. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was released by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), could also attract attention.
KKR approaches the auction with the largest budget of Rs 64.30 crore, while five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have Rs 43.40 crore, both teams looking to rebuild following a lackluster IPL 2025 season.
Conversely, five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings may have quieter auctions with budgets of Rs 2.75 crore and Rs 11.5 crore, respectively.
It is important to note that no overseas player can earn more than Rs 18 crore, regardless of the winning bid. Under IPL’s “maximum-fee” rule, the cap is established at the lower of the highest retention slab - Rs 18 crore - or the top price from the previous mega auction, which was Rs 27 crore for Lucknow Super Giants' skipper Rishabh Pant.
Among the uncapped players, Jammu & Kashmir’s seam-bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi and Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma have garnered attention from coaches and scouts observing matches in state-run T20 leagues and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Also on the radar of all ten franchises are Uttar Pradesh’s all-rounder Prashant Veer, Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma, and Kerala’s left-arm wrist spinner Vignesh Puthur, who played for Mumbai Indians before an injury curtailed his season.
The auction will shift into an accelerated phase after the first 70 players are introduced, with franchises then nominating unsold players for additional bidding. Since this is a mini-auction, the Right to Match (RTM) card will not be available to teams.
Point of View
It's clear that the competition among franchises is more intense than ever. The release of high-profile players and the opportunity to acquire new talent could reshape team dynamics significantly. The auction's location outside India adds another layer of intrigue, and it will be fascinating to see how teams strategize their bids. NationPress remains committed to providing insightful coverage of this pivotal event.
NationPress
17/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the IPL 2026 auction?
The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Which players are expected to attract the highest bids?
Players like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, and Ravi Bishnoi are anticipated to be among the top draws in the auction.
How many slots are available for players in the auction?
There are a total of 77 slots available, including 31 for overseas players.
What is the maximum fee for overseas players?
No overseas player can earn more than Rs 18 crore due to the IPL’s 'maximum-fee' rule.
