The IPL 2026 auction is set for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, as teams look to build their squad ahead of the upcoming season.
A number of top stars will be up
for grabs, with players such as Cameron Green, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and others heading into the table.
Kolkata Knight Riders have the biggest purse with Rs 64.3 crore, with Chennai Super Kings also having a significant amount in the auction. As the teams prepare to splash their cash, there is a significant IPL rule which will stop the overseas players from getting an exorbitant amount of money in the auction. The IPL has set a maximum fee cap of Rs 18 crore for overseas players in the IPL mini auctions, as the foreign stars will only receive that as maximum amount.
Why will Overseas players get a maximum of Rs 18 crore in Mini Auction?
This rule was introduced by the BCCI ahead of the 2025 mega auction and states that no overseas player can earn more than Rs 18 crore in these mini auctions, regardless of whether bidding exceeds this amount. The Rs 18 crore cap aligns with the highest retention slab used by franchises in the 2025 mega auction.
This cap applies only to overseas players and is meant to prevent inflated bids and misuse during mini auctions, ensuring a level playing field and financial prudence. Indian players are not subject to this maximum fee cap and receive the full amount of their bid if it exceeds Rs 18 crore. For example, if an overseas player like Cameron Green attracts a bid of Rs 20 crore, he will receive Rs 18 crore, and Rs 2 crore will be allocated to BCCI's player welfare fund, while the franchise pays Rs 20 crore from its budget. This rule maintains the maximum salary at the same level set in the previous mega auction, as per IPL regulations.
What happens if an overseas player's value rises beyond Rs 18 Crore?
If bidding surpasses Rs 18 crore for any overseas player, the player still receives Rs 18 crore, while the excess amount is taken by the BCCI and directed towards player welfare initiatives. However, the franchise must pay the full bid amount from their purse, even if the player does not receive all of it.
But this cap is limited only to foreign players, as the Indian players will receive the exact price of their bid in the auction.
