The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the final shortlist of players for the IPL 2026 mini-auction. A total of 350 players will go under the hammer on December 16, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. This comes after 1,390 players registered for the auction, and the list was carefully trimmed down after discussions with the 10 IPL franchises.
Out of these 350 players, 240 are Indian and 110 are overseas. The pool includes 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players. This mix gives teams a good chance to pick both experienced stars and fresh young talent. The auction will start at 2:30 PM IST (1:00 PM UAE time) and is expected to finish in one day.
Why This Auction is a Mini-Auction
Unlike the big mega auctions that happen every few years, this is a mini-auction. Teams had the freedom to retain as many players as they wanted after the IPL 2025 season. A total of 173 players were retained across all teams, including 49 overseas players. This left 77 slots open for the auction, with 31 spots reserved for overseas players.
Teams can now focus on filling small gaps in their squads instead of rebuilding everything from scratch. The total purse available across all teams is around ₹237.55 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have the biggest purse of ₹64.3 crore and 13 slots to fill. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) come next with ₹43.4 crore and nine slots.
Key Players and Surprise Entries in the Auction
Many big names are back in the auction pool after being released by their teams. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the last auction due to injury, has set a base price of ₹2 crore. He is expected to attract huge bids because he can bat and bowl well.
Other players in the ₹2 crore bracket include Steve Smith (Australia), David Miller (South Africa), Quinton de Kock (South Africa), Venkatesh Iyer (India), and Ravi Bishnoi (India). There are 40 players in this top bracket.
Quinton de Kock is a surprise entry. He was not in the initial list but got added later after a franchise requested it. He recently came out of international retirement and scored a century against India. Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan, who went unsold last year, are also back with a base price of ₹75 lakh.
Some big players will not be in the auction. Glenn Maxwell has opted out, Andre Russell has retired from IPL, Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali have chosen to play in the Pakistan Super League, and R Ashwin has retired from IPL.
Auction Rules and Process
The auction will start with capped players in groups – batters first, then all-rounders, wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, and spinners. After that, uncapped players will come in the same order. After the first 70 players, the auction will move to an accelerated round. Franchises will name the players they want from the remaining list, and only those will be brought for bidding.
There is no Right to Match (RTM) card in this mini-auction because the number of slots is small. Teams can use trades before the auction to balance their squads.
Team Strategies and Purse Details
KKR and CSK are in the strongest position with big purses. Punjab Kings have the most stable squad with 21 retained players. Mumbai Indians have only ₹2.75 crore left and just a few slots. Teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad have ₹25.5 crore to spend.
Many teams will look for reliable Indian pacers, middle-order batsmen, and overseas all-rounders. Uncapped Indian players will be a good option because they are cheaper and can help teams balance their squad.
What Fans Can Expect
The IPL 2026 season will be the 19th edition of the league. With so many young talents and big stars available, the auction promises exciting bidding wars. Cameron Green, Quinton de Kock, and Steve Smith could become the most expensive buys.
The auction will be live on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioCinema. Fans can follow the full list on the official IPL website.
Quotes from Key People
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said, “The shortlist of 350 players gives a perfect balance of experience and youth. This mini-auction will help teams build strong squads for IPL 2026.”
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal added, “Hosting the auction in Abu Dhabi for the third year in a row shows how popular IPL has become worldwide. We expect a very competitive bidding day.”
One team owner (who did not want to be named) said, “With 77 slots and a huge purse, we are looking for smart buys. Players like Cameron Green and Quinton de Kock will be in high demand.”
FAQs
Q: When and where will the IPL 2026 auction take place?
A: The auction is on December 16, 2025, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It starts at 2:30 PM IST.
Q: How many players are in the final list?
A: There are 350 players – 240 Indian and 110 overseas. Out of these, 224 Indian players are uncapped.
Q: How many slots are open for teams?
A: A total of 77 slots are available, including 31 for overseas players.
Q: What is the highest base price?
A: The highest base price is ₹2 crore. 40 players have chosen this price, including Cameron Green, Steve Smith, and Venkatesh Iyer.
Q: Is this a mega auction or mini auction?
A: This is a mini-auction. Teams could retain any number of players, so only 77 slots are open.
Q: Will there be Right to Match (RTM) cards?
A: No, RTM cards are not used in mini-auctions.
Q: Which teams have the most money left?
A: Kolkata Knight Riders have ₹64.3 crore, Chennai Super Kings have ₹43.4 crore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have ₹25.5 crore.
Q: Are big stars like Glenn Maxwell and Andre Russell in the auction?
A: No. Glenn Maxwell opted out, Andre Russell retired from IPL, and some others chose other leagues.
Q: How can fans watch the auction?
A: It will be live on Star Sports and streamed on JioCinema.
Q: What happens after the auction?
A: Teams can make trades for one month before the season starts. The IPL 2026 season will begin in March-April 2026.