Cameron Green, Steve Smith Headline IPL 2026 Mini-Auction; Glenn Maxwell Opts Out.
Cameron Green and Steve Smith are the standout names in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Both are in the Rs. 2 crore base price bracket, forming part of a strong overseas contingent. The auction has attracted 1,355 players from 14 countries, underlining the IPL’s global appeal.
Other notable international entrants include Matthew Short, Jonny Bairstow, Jamie Smith, Rachin Ravindra, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Alzarri Joseph. The Rs. 2 crore overseas bracket features 43 players, including Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mustafizur Rahman, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Josh Inglis’ participation is uncertain due to his wedding.
Domestic Stars and High Base Prices
Leading Indian players in the auction include Mayank Agarwal, KS Bharat, Rahul Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Deep, Deepak Hooda, Venkatesh Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Mavi, Navdeep Saini, Chetan Sakariya, Kuldeep Sen, Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi, Sandeep Warrier, and Umesh Yadav. Only Ravi Bishnoi and Venkatesh Iyer have opted for the maximum Rs. 2 crore base price.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has entered at Rs. 1 crore. The auction also includes players from emerging cricketing nations, including Malaysia, with India-born Virandeep Singh among the entrants.
Glenn Maxwell Withdraws
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will not participate, as confirmed by ESPN Cricinfo. Maxwell, bought by PBKS in last year’s mega auction, struggled last season with just 48 runs and 4 wickets in seven matches and missed games due to injury.
Auction Purse and Slots
After player retentions, the 10 franchises have a combined Rs. 237.55 crore left for bidding. Kolkata Knight Riders lead with Rs. 64.30 crore, followed by Chennai Super Kings with Rs. 43.40 crore. A total of 77 squad slots are up for grabs, including 31 overseas slots. Franchises will have to strategise carefully, balancing budgets and team composition.
The mini-auction is expected to be highly competitive, with franchises aiming to secure top domestic and international talent. High-profile names like Green and Smith are likely to draw the most attention, shaping teams for the IPL 2026 season.
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