The countdown to one of the most dramatic days on the IPL calendar has officially begun. The IPL 2026 auction is set for December 16, and the buzz around the auction table is already impossible to ignore.
With franchises sharpening their strategies and scouts finalising wish lists, Abu Dhabi is bracing itself for a day of raised paddles, rapid bids and career-defining moments for several cricketers.
Hosted at the Etihad Centre in Abu Dhabi, the mini-auction will once again bring together the biggest powerbrokers of world cricket under one roof. While the players are the headline act, there is another familiar figure who will command the room, control the tempo and ensure that every crore is counted with precision.
IPL teams gear up for another auction battle
The IPL 2026 auction may be shorter than the mega auction, but it rarely lacks intensity. All ten franchises have already submitted their retention lists to the BCCI, and the focus has now shifted to plugging gaps before another gruelling IPL campaign in 2026.
For some teams, the mini-auction is about fine-tuning a title-ready squad. For others, it is a chance to rebuild, rethink combinations and unearth undervalued gems. With a trimmed list of players available and limited purses for certain franchises, the margin for error is razor-thin. Every bid could alter the balance of the tournament.
Who will conduct the IPL 2026 mini-auction?
The responsibility of steering this high-pressure spectacle will fall on Mallika Sagar. She will conduct the IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, continuing her now-familiar association with Indian cricket's biggest stage. Sagar has become a trusted presence behind the gavel, known for her calm authority, crisp delivery and ability to maintain control even when bidding wars spiral out of control. Her appointment once again underlines the confidence that the IPL ecosystem has placed in her ability to handle auctions of immense scale and scrutiny.
Mallika Sagar's journey to the IPL auction stage
Born in Mumbai on August 3, 1975, Mallika Sagar grew up in a business family before carving her own distinctive professional path. She holds a degree in Art History from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, an academic background that shaped her eye for detail and appreciation for value-qualities that later translated seamlessly into auctioneering.
Sagar began her career with Sotheby's London at the turn of the millennium, gaining first-hand experience in the global art auction circuit. After returning to India, she joined Pundole's Art Gallery, where she conducted several major art auctions and built a reputation for her composed style and sharp command of proceedings. Over time, she established herself as an independent art consultant and auctioneer, respected across the Indian and South Asian art world.
From art auctions to sporting arenas
Her transition from art to sport marked a turning point. Mallika Sagar rose to national prominence after successfully conducting the Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 auctions in 2021. The move showcased her versatility and proved that her auctioneering skills could thrive beyond gallery walls.
In 2023, she made her cricket auction debut by leading the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) auction, a landmark moment for Indian sport. Two years later, in 2025, Sagar scripted history by becoming the first woman to conduct an IPL mega auction. She further reinforced her credentials by hosting the WPL 2026 auction on November 27 in New Delhi, drawing praise for her flawless execution.
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IPL 2026 mini-auction: Full purse updates
| Team | No. of Players | Purse Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 16 | 43.40 crore |
| Delhi Capitals | 17 | 21.80 crore |
| Gujarat Titans | 20 | 12.90 crore |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 12 | 64.30 crore |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 19 | 22.95 crore |
| Mumbai Indians | 20 | 2.75 crore |
| Punjab Kings | 21 | 11.50 crore |
| Rajasthan Royals | 16 | 16.05 crore |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 17 | 16.40 crore |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 15 | 25.50 crore |
