New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction is all set to take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. While all ten franchises will be looking
to strengthen their respective squads with some quality additions at the auction, some teams have key gaps to fill and will be busier than others. Several prominent names are likely to trigger bidding wars between teams at the IPL 2026 auction.
With overseas all-rounders expected to be in demand, Australia’s Cameron Green has been tipped by many to turn out to be the most expensive pick at the upcoming auction. However, he will be rivalled by several others, who are also among the most sought-after players at the auction. With a visible lack of starpower in the international pool, a handful of overseas stars are likely to fetch the big bucks at the auction.
The Indian domestic players are also likely to be in demand, and some will spark bidding wars between teams. From all-rounders to reliable batters, finishers and quality bowlers, the franchises will be on the lookout for the best available talents in the auction pool to fill the gaps in their respective squads. Ahead of the auction, here is a look at some players who are strong contenders to bag the highest bid.
Top 5 players who can emerge as most expensive pick at IPL 2026 auction:
Cameron Green (Base price – Rs 2 crore)
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is one of the most sought-after players heading into the IPL 2026 auction. Green has been listed as a specialist batter, but he recently confirmed he will be ready to bowl next season. With a dearth of quality overseas all-rounders in the auction, Green is expected to fetch a big sum and is undoubtedly the strongest contender to emerge as the costliest pick.
The Australian all-rounder has been part of the IPL for two seasons. In his first season with the Mumbai Indians, Green scored 452 runs and picked up 6 wickets in IPL 2024. He played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in his second season, notching up 255 runs and picking up 10 wickets in 13 matches. Green was not part of IPL 2025 due to an injury.
Jamie Smith (Base price – Rs 2 crore)
England wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith is also expected to be among the most sought-after players at the IPL 2026 auction. With a few franchises looking for a quality wicket-keeper batter, Smith’s price can soar if the team get involved in a bidding war for him.
Smith plays all three formats for England and has an attacking game which is suited for T20 cricket. The 25-year-old has a decent record in T20s with 1687 runs to his name in 97 matches at a strike rate of over 144, including nine fifties.
Ravi Bishnoi (Base price – Rs 2 crore)
Ravi Bishnoi is one of the best Indian spinners available in the auction pool and is likely to trigger a bidding war between a few franchises, who are in desperate need of spin reinforcements. Bishnoi was retained by his former team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), for Rs 11 crore last year.
However, he was released after an ordinary campaign in IPL 2025, where he managed 9 wickets in 11 matches. Bishnoi has 72 wickets to his name in 77 matches in his IPL career and can be a quality addition to any bowling attack ahead of the new season.
Cooper Connolly – (Base price – Rs 2 crore)
Australia all-rounder Cooper Connolly can be one of the names to watch out for at the IPL 2026 auction. He has already become a white-ball regular for Australia and has been doing well for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. Connolly has good hitting prowess and can bat in the middle or the lower middle order.
He is also a handy left-arm spinner, which makes him a rare asset. A young rising all-rounder with great potential, Connolly has 705 runs in 36 matches at a strike rate of over 136 and has also picked up 13 wickets in T20s. It remains to be seen how many teams will be interested in securing his services at the IPL 2026 auction.
Matheesha Pathirana – (Base price – Rs 2 crore)
It came as a shock to many when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) decided to let go of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The pacer known for his slingy action and lethal yorkers was CSK’s death-overs specialist over the last three seasons. However, the franchise seemed to have released him after a dip in his performances and his fitness issues.
Nonetheless, Pathirana’s ability to clock over 140kph consistently and bowl deadly yorkers makes him a rare asset in the IPL 2026 auction. While CSK might look to get him back, several other franchises alos might be interested in securing his services to bolster their pace attack ahead of the new season. Pathirana is a strong contender to emerge as the costliest buy at the IPL 2026 auction.
![[Watch] IPL 2026: Cameron Green turns purple as KKR rope him in for INR 25.2 crore](https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/2nSOJBzoWGD0.webp)
