More than 350 players will go under the hammer in the IPL 2026 auction on Tuesday (December 16), which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi. A total of 77 players, which includes as many as 31 overseas stars, can be signed by the 10 IPL teams. Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders have the biggest purse, whereas five-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians will have just Rs 2.75 crore in their kitty to sign a maximum of five players.
In the previous IPL mini auctions, fast bowlers and all-rounders have secured bumper deals, and the trend is expected to continue this time as well. The likes of Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and Liam Livingstone are some of the big players that are up for grabs, and multiple teams are expected to get engaged
in an intense bidding war to secure their services.
Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, here’s a look at what all 10 teams need:
Kolkata Knight Riders
- Available purse: Rs 64.30 crore
- Available slots: 12 (6 overseas)
After retaining only 12 players from their 2025 squad, KKR are looking for a major overhaul and are expected to make multiple marquee signings in the IPL 2026 auction. The Shah Rukh Khan-owned team need at least two quality wicketkeeper-batters, openers, an ideal and long-term replacement for legendary Andre Russell and a couple of quality overseas fast bowlers.
Chennai Super Kings
- Available purse: Rs 43.40 crore
- Available slots: 9 (4 overseas)
For five-time champions CSK, signing back Sri Lankan pacer Pathirana will be their top priority, and in addition to him, they will also target a couple of overseas all-rounders who can bat in the middle order and also contribute with the ball like Ravindra Jadeja used to do.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Available purse: Rs 25.50 crore
- Available slots: 10 (2 overseas)
SRH’s priority in the auction will be to sign a quality spinner (possibly Indian) and a marquee overseas all-rounder and a few Indian fast bowlers after trading Mohammed Shami to Lucknow Super Giants.
Lucknow Super Giants
- Available purse: Rs 22.95 crore
- Available slots: 6 (4 overseas)
LSG missed the services of a premier overseas pacer in IPL 2025, and they would like to make one marquee signing this time around. In addition to that, their priority will also be to sign Ravi Bishnoi back or get another top Indian spinner.
Delhi Capitals
- Available purse: Rs 21.80 crore
- Available slots: 8 (5 overseas)
Delhi Capitals have five overseas slots left, and they are likely to sign at least two overseas batters who can bat in the top order and two overseas all-rounders.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Available purse: Rs 16.40 crore
- Available slots: 8 (2 overseas)
RCB’s primary target in the IPL 2026 auction will be to sign a backup for their injury-prone overseas star pacer Josh Hazlewood. The defending champions also released Liam Livingstone, and one can expect them to sign a like-for-like replacement of him.
Rajasthan Royals
- Available purse: Rs 16.05 crore
- Available slots: 9 (1 overseas)
Royals signed three players – Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Donovan Ferreira – in the trade deal ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, and in Abu Dhabi they can sign one overseas wicketkeeper-batter who could also possibly play at the No. 3 position. Also, Royals need a specialist spinner, and there are few good Indian talents available in the market.
Gujarat Giants
- Available purse: Rs 12.90 crore
- Available slots: 5 (4 overseas)
GT have a sorted top order and pace and spin bowling attack in the IPL, but they need firepower in the middle order, and that’s an area which the 2022 champions will look to strengthen in this year’s auction. Also signing an overseas fast bowling backup for Kagiso Rabada will be GT’s priority.
Punjab Kings
- Available purse: Rs 11.50 crore
- Available slots: 4 (2 overseas)
PBKS have retained 21 players from their IPL 2025 squad, and in the 2026 auction with Rs 11.50 crore, the two-time IPL losing finalists will look to sign a replacement for Josh Inglis, who they released due to his limited availability next year.
Mumbai Indians
- Available purse: Rs 2.75 crore
- Available slots: 5 (1 overseas)
In the IPL 2026 auction, the Mumbai Indians will primarily look to sign a backup wicketkeeper for Ryan Rickelton, and since they have one overseas slot available, they can target the likes of Quinton de Kock or Jonny Bairstow – both of them have played for MI in the past.
