IPL 2026 will be preceded by a mini auction in either late 2025 or early 2026. The exact dates for the same are yet to be announced. Like every year, plenty of players will have their names listed for teams to pick from.
While it is still a mini auction, each team management will have a clear aim in their mind to reinforce their squad. Franchises will be aim to plug crucial gaps by roping in proven overseas match-winners as well as emerging talents in the international market.
5 overseas players that could shake up the IPL 2026 Auction
5. Sikandar Raza
With over 316 T20s under
his belt, Sikandar Razahas established himself a veteran of 20-over cricket. Be it with bat or ball, Raza has always been a handy contributor for whichever team he has featured for. He also possesses vital leadership skills which could come in handy.
Raza has been in some form in 2025, scoring 254 runs in 11 matches while striking at 169.33 and picking up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75. He has featured for Punjab Kings across IPL 2023 and IPL 2024, playing seven and two matches, respectively.
4. Lhuan-dre Pretorius
With Rajasthan Royals' stacked with top-order alternatives, Lhuan-dre Pretorius might well be released by the franchise. The powerful left-handed batter has only recently stepped onto the international arena but has impressed by his skillsets. He is also an able wicketkeeper.
Pretorious was South Africa's leading run-scorer at the 2023 U-19 World Cup and has all the abilities of getting off to a flyer at the top of the order. His fearless nature and aggressive batting could attract multiple bids.
3. Jason Holder
Jason Holder has had quite a scattered IPL career so far. He has played for five teams in seven seasons between 2013 and 2023. Holder also has had prior experience of being at the helm and has had decent success leading West Indies as well.
Holder has been a constant feature of the Caribbean Premier League. He departed Barbados Royals after a 10-season long association with the franchise to join St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for CPL 2025. Holder's value as an all-rounder might attract teams to go after him.
2. Riley Meredith
A genuine pacer, Riley Meredith currently owns only seven international caps to his name. This has more to do with the number of injuries that have constantly hindered his career. Meredith has played in the IPL for three seasons up until now (IPL 2021 to IPL 2023).
Meredith has the tendency to leak runs, however, that is a small tradeoff for his pace and genuine wicket-taking ability. There are a few franchises who do not possess an express pace option in their bowling lineup and there is every chance that Meredith could draw interest at the auction.
1. Fazalhaq Farooqi
Fazalhaq Farooqi holds the capability of swinging the new ball both ways, making him an immediate threat in the powerplay. The left-arm pacer also contains many variations up his sleeve which make him a tricky customer to negate during the death overs.
Farooqi appeared for a couple of seasons (IPL 2022 and IPL 2023) for SRH. He went unsold in the auction prior to IPL 2024. Farooqi was quite expensive in the five matches he played for Rajasthan Royals. It is more than probable that he gets released into the auction. Being a left-arm pacer with the ability to bowl in different phases of the game, he is likely to attract bids in the auction.
