The stage is set for the IPL 2026 player auction, scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, as the final list of 350 cricketers has been officially released. This year’s pool includes 240 Indian players and 110 overseas names, all vying for 77 available slots, including 31 overseas positions across 10 franchises.
In a surprise late development, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has been added to the final roster at a base price of Rs 1 crore. De Kock, who recently returned to ODI cricket, is expected to attract notable interest due to his proven T20 credentials.
High-Profile Names Dominate the Auction Pool
The trimmed list comes after a massive 1,390 registrations, reduced first to 1,005, and finally narrowed down to the shortlisted 350.
Top Players and Their Base Prices
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa) – Rs 1 crore
- Steve Smith (Australia) – Rs 2 crore, returning after last playing IPL in 2021
- Cameron Green (Australia) – Rs 2 crore
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia) – Rs 2 crore
- Devon Conway (New Zealand) – Rs 2 crore
- David Miller (South Africa) – Rs 2 crore
- Prithvi Shaw (India) – Rs 75 lakh
- Sarfaraz Khan (India) – Rs 75 lakh
- Venkatesh Iyer (India) – Rs 2 crore, after being released by KKR
Emerging domestic performers like Kunal Chandela and Ashok Kumar, who impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, are also part of the final list.
Team Purses: KKR Leads the Race
Franchises enter the auction with varying purse strengths, influencing bidding strategies:
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Rs 64.3 crore — highest purse
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Rs 43.4 crore
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Rs 25.5 crore
These three teams are expected to drive aggressive bidding, especially for all-rounders and experienced international stars.
Strong Overseas Representation Across Nations
Australia (19 players)
Cameron Green headlines the Australian contingent, joined by Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, and Beau Webster. Green is tipped to be among the most sought-after picks this year.
South Africa (15 players)
De Kock and Miller lead South Africa’s roster, accompanied by pace specialists like Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Gerald Coetzee.
England (21 players)
Notable English names include Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Liam Livingstone, and opener Ben Duckett.
West Indies (9 players)
Fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, along with Shai Hope and Roston Chase, strengthen the Caribbean representation.
Sri Lanka (12 players)
Spin powerhouses Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and rising star Dunith Wellalage headline the list.
New Zealand (16 players)
Former CSK duo Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra join a strong Kiwi lineup.
Afghanistan (10 players)
T20 regulars Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Naveen-ul-Haq return to the auction pool.
What to Expect on Auction Day
With a mix of seasoned campaigners, comeback stars, and young domestic talents, the IPL 2026 auction promises intense bidding wars. Teams with bigger purses are expected to target top-tier all-rounders and power hitters, while others may focus on strategic buys to fill specific roles.
The late entry of Quinton de Kock adds an unexpected twist, likely to shake up franchise strategies just days before the auction.