The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season concluded in spectacular fashion as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their title by
defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at Ahmedabad. While performances on the field ultimately determined the outcome of the tournament, the auction once again played a crucial role in shaping each franchise's campaign.
Teams invested heavily in several players during the mini-auction, hoping they would become match-winners throughout the season. However, not every expensive signing managed to justify the price tag. Injuries, lack of opportunities, and inconsistent form affected the performances of several high-profile acquisitions.
Here are the top 5 auction picks and how they performed in IPL 2026:
5. Liam Livingstone (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - INR 13 crore
England all-rounder Liam Livingstonewas one of the biggest overseas signings at the auction, with Sunrisers Hyderabad securing his services for INR 13.00 crore. Known for his explosive batting and useful spin bowling, Livingstone was expected to provide balance to the squad.
However, his campaign never got going. He featured in only two matches during the season and managed to score just 15 runs. Due to limited opportunities, the Englishman failed to make the impact that SRH had hoped for when they invested heavily in him.
4. Prashant Veer (Chennai Super Kings) - INR 14.2 crore
Chennai Super Kings surprised many by spending INR 14.2 crore on Prashant Veer. The franchise viewed him as a versatile option capable of contributing with both bat and ball.
Despite the high expectations, Veer's season remained largely underwhelming. He played six matches and bowled in only one game. With the bat, he managed just 90 runs across his appearances. While he showed glimpses of potential, he was unable to establish himself as a consistent performer in the CSK lineup.
3. Kartik Sharma (Chennai Super Kings) - INR 14.2 crore
Another significant investment by Chennai Super Kings was Kartik Sharma, who was acquired for INR 14.2 crore. Unlike some of the other expensive signings, Sharma enjoyed a reasonable run in the playing XI.
The batter featured in 11 matches and scored 295 runs, including two half-centuries. Although his performances were not extraordinary, he contributed important runs in the middle order and displayed the ability to handle pressure situations. CSK will likely view him as a long-term investment for future seasons.
2. Matheesha Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders) - INR 18 crore
Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathiranawas one of Kolkata Knight Riders' marquee purchases for INR 18 crore. Renowned for his unique slingy action and death-over expertise, Pathirana was expected to spearhead the KKR pace attack.
Unfortunately, injuries severely disrupted his campaign. He played only one match and was forced to leave midway through the game after bowling just eight deliveries. As a result, KKR could not benefit from one of their most expensive signings.
1. Cameron Green (Kolkata Knight Riders) - INR 25.20 crore
Australian all-rounder Cameron Greenbecame the most expensive overseas player in IPL history when Kolkata Knight Riders secured him for INR 25.20 crore. Expectations were understandably enormous given the record-breaking investment.
Green delivered a decent all-round season, though perhaps not one that fully justified his massive price tag. He scored 322 runs in 14 matches, including two half-centuries, and also contributed with the ball by taking seven wickets. While he played an important role in KKR's campaign, fans and experts expected even greater match-winning performances from the Australian star.
