IPL 2026 auction LIVE: Dhoni-like keeper to attract most bids?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming has been with the franchise since the inaugural season. However, this may be the first time that CSK would enter a mini auction with such a huge purse. They have some glaring holes in the team but did a fantastic job by getting three replacement players in Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre! 

"We did a lot of work behind the scenes. Conducted trials of players, looking at some young players going forward and we had some injuries as well, so we used the opportunity to get new players in the side. So that helps in the auction process."

Players Retained: 15
Players Released: 12
IPL 2026 Auction Purse Remaining: INR 43.4 crore
Slots remaining: 9 (4 overseas)

Reflections. Strategies. New outcomes. 💪🔨

The Gaffer breaks down his auction thoughts. 🎥💛#IPLAuction #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/awk0b4LA3h

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 16, 2025

Interestingly, Monty Panesar has thrown an underrated name to end up being one of the most expensive picks at the IPL 2026 auction. According to the former England left-arm spinner, Jamie Smith could be the one as he is a bit like MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist. 
These are definitely huge compliments for any budding keeper. Currently, he's part of the Ashes but Smith is certainly one of the most exciting names. He has done it in the Hundred but IPL could be a very different ball game. Just ask Harry Brook. 🤫

“Jamie Smith will definitely be picked because on Indian surfaces he can really smash the ball out of the ground. He’s got a bit of Dhoni-ness about him and is a very exciting talent — also a bit like Adam Gilchrist, I think — so I expect him to be picked up too," Panesar said to India Today. 

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 - ?
2025 - Trent Boult
2024 - Gerald Coetzee
2023 - Cameron Green
2022 - Ishan Kishan
2021 - Nathan Coulter-Nile
2020 - Nathan Coulter-Nile
2019 - Barinder Sran
2018 - Krunal Pandya
2017 - Karn Sharma
2016 - Jos Buttler
2015 - Aaron Finch
2014 - Michael Hussey
2013 - Glenn Maxwell
2012 - Thisara Perera
2011 - Rohit Sharma
2010 - Kieron Pollard
2009 - JP Duminy
2008 - Sanath Jayasuriya

Gujarat Titans (GT) remain pretty much settled always. However, this time they definitely need firepower in the middle-order. They need someone to take the game on alongside Glenn Phillips, who is yet to prove his excellence in the IPL. Also, an able backup to Kagiso Rabada is a must. GT have a room to add 4 overseas players. GT's biggest target at IPL 2026 player auction: 

- David Miller or Liam Livingstone 
- Joshua Little, Jacob Duffy or Matt Henry
- Jonny Bairstow, Jamie Smith, Kusal Mendis or Tim Seifert

Rapid responses now, sharp calls at the table. Sarpanch Saab is ready 😎🔥#IPL2026Auction #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/OratSvtGCH

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 16, 2025

Just like the previous two seasons, Mallika Sagar is set to conduct this season's IPL 2026 auction as well. 

IPL Auctioneer over the years

Auctioneer	Years
Richard Madley	2008-2018
Hugh Edmeades	2018, 2021-2023
Charu Sharma	2022
Mallika Sagar	2024-2026*

With their trade deals of Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran and Donovan Ferreira, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have done themselves a huge favour. However, they still need some potency. With a budget of Rs 16.05 crore, RR require: 

- Wrist spinner, preferably Ravi Bishnoi or Rahul Chahar. 
- No. 3 batter, may be Sarfaraz Khan, Matthew Short or an uncapped talent
- A great Indian pacer, preferably Akash Deep or Chetan Sakariya

Retentions, trades and all the strategies that lead up to 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮, 𝗔𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🔥

What It Takes To Win: Episode 01 🎬 pic.twitter.com/N1305WSNA8

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) December 16, 2025

As mentioned above, CSK and KKR have the biggest purse, while MI just have Rs 2.75 crore. 

Chennai Super Kings – INR 43.40 cr
Delhi Capitals – INR 21.80 cr
Gujarat Titans – INR 12.90 cr
Kolkata Knight Riders – INR 64.30 cr
Lucknow Super Giants – INR 22.95 cr
Mumbai Indians – INR 2.75 cr
Punjab Kings – INR 11.50 cr
Rajasthan Royals – INR 16.05 cr
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – INR 16.40 cr
Sunrisers Hyderabad – INR 22.50 cr

With Josh Hazlewood out of the Ashes, and nursing and injury, RCB have a thing to worry about. Despite having almost all bases covered, they need an overseas pacer just in case. This is what former RCB coach Anil Kumble has advised. While speaking to CNN News, Kumble said that he was surprised over RCB's release of Lungi Ngidi. However, other options are available.  

They’ll certainly have to look for an overseas fast bowler. I’m a bit surprised that they let go of Lungi Ngidi because he was there at Rs 1 crore, his base price. However, there’s an option now. Anrich Nortje, Matt Henry, Gerald Coetzee… I think out of those 3, in my view, Nortje may go slightly higher or maybe a Matt Henry. They will need a bit of experience and Nortje and Matt Henry bring you that.

One name that Kumble didn't mention was of Joshua Little, who could be a dark horse pick. He has 11 IPL wickets for GT and is a tempting left-arm option who can also cover for Yash Dayal.

After BCCI revealed the list of 350 players that will be up in the IPL auction 2026 pool, new 19 names have been added. They were added on the eve of the auction, potentially at the request of IPL franchises. Those new names are given below: 

For those unaware, the BCCI has shared the official start date for the much-awaited IPL 2026 season. While clashing with PSL, IPL 2026 will begin on March 26 onwards, and the final will be played on 31st May. 

🚨NEWS ALERT 🚨: IPL 2026 season is set to kick off on 26th March, with the final scheduled for 31st May 🏏

Source: Cricbuzz #IPL2026 #BCCI #IPL #IndianPremierLeague #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/gkTMv7pcQq

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) December 15, 2025

Never in IPL history has a team entered with as small a purse as the Mumbai Indians, who have less than Rs 3 crore in their pocket. They have their first XII settled. However, no team is perfect. MI do need some backups. They can do with another batting option, while an overseas fast bowler would be high on their priority list. 
MI are known for their scouting prowess and that would be on showcase once again! 

All set for the hammer to go down in Abu Dhabi ✨💙 pic.twitter.com/CQEjO2YXX0

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 15, 2025

As mentioned above, there are a total of 369 players in the auction pool today. However, only 77 of them can find teams (at maximum). But the chances are quite high for players who'll come early on to get picked. Hence, we take a look at the players from the opening set. There are a total of 42 sets. The opening set, which is of batters, is as follows: 

1. Devon Conway - Base Price - Rs 2 crore
2. Jake Fraser-McGurk- Base Price - Rs 2 crore
3. Cameron Green – Base Price - Rs 2 crore
4. Sarfaraz Khan – Base Price -Rs 75 lakh
5. David Miller – Base Price - Rs 2 crore
6. Prithvi Shaw – Base Price - Rs 75 lakh

IPL 2026 Auction Day is finally here. 

After weeks of anticipation, the day has finally arrived, with fans locked in on their screens. Despite it being a mini auction the hype is massive, with almost all the teams needing to iron out some holes in their roster. Kolkata Knight Riders (Rs 64.30 crore) enter the IPL 2026 auction with the fattest purse, while Mumbai Indians (MI) are on the other side of the spectrum with the smallest purse of Rs 2.75 crore.