IPL 2026 auction: 5 players who could trigger bidding wars
What's the story
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is just around the corner, with over 350 players set to go under the hammer. The event will take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, with all 10 franchises vying for a limited number of slots—77, to be precise. As teams look to rebuild their squads, several players are expected to spark intense bidding wars. Here we look at five such players.
#1
Cameron Green is a hot property
Australian fast-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green is likely to be one of the biggest draws at the auction. The dasher, who missed the 2025 season due to an injury, has been on a roll in white-ball cricket lately. In 29 IPL matches, Green has scored 707 runs and taken 16 wickets. His versatility makes him a prime target for teams looking to bolster their squads with quality overseas players. Meanwhile, Green has listed himself at a base price of ₹2 crore.
#2
Matheesha Pathirana: A prized fast bowler
Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is another player who could spark a bidding war at the IPL 2026 mini auction. The pacer, who has a slinging action, can bowl 150kmph yorkers with precision and has been an asset for Chennai Super Kings. In 32 matches, he has taken 47 wickets at 21.61, all for CSK. With a base price of ₹2 crore, Pathirana remains a prized option for teams seeking a proven overseas fast bowler.
#3
Ravi Bishnoi: An Indian spinner to watch out for
Indian leg-spinner spinner Ravi Bishnoi is another player who could draw interest at the IPL 2026 mini auction. The youngster, who has taken 72 wickets in IPL 77 matches at 31.06, was released by Lucknow Super Giants after a paltry IPL 2025 season. However, his sharp googlies make him a significant asset in the middle overs. With a base price of ₹2 crore, he could be a great addition to any franchise looking for an Indian spinner.
#4
Will Venkatesh Iyer gather another massive check?
Batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer bagged a heavy cheque of ₹23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, a poor season meant Kolkata Knight Riders had to release him. Nevertheless, the southpaw is a proven match-winner in the tournament, and that too with a stellar playoff record. In KKR's title-winning year IPL 2024 campaign, Iyer scored 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.79. Iyer will enter the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore.
#5
Eyes will be on Auqib Nabi
Auqib Nabi, the fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir, is likely to fetch the heaviest paycheck among uncapped players. A swing bowler, Nabi has been a consistent wicket-taker in domestic cricket. He has improved his death-overs skills recently, making him a valuable asset. With 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate under eight, Nabi has been one of the top performers in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His bidding will start at ₹30 lakh.