Although it was a mini-auction, teams shelled out huge money. The overseas players, as usual, bagged some big deals in the IPL 2026 auction. But franchises also went big after Indian domestic talent.
Here we’ll look at the top five most expensive players in the IPL 2026 auction. (All figures in Indian Rupees.)
5. Liam Livingstone | 13 crore to SRH
Liam Livingstone first went unsold in the regular auction. It was a bit of a shocker. No team showed interest, including Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
But once his name came up in the accelerated auction, SRH didn’t think twice. They needed a middle-order batter and a spinner. And they got both in Livingstone. But not without a fight.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opened the bid at 2 crore. The bid zoomed to 3 crore, and SRH almost had him.
But then Gujarat Titans (GT) entered to make it 4 crore. SRH raised it to 4.20 crore and seemed like they were walking away with the deal.
Then Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made things spicy. SRH and LSG went toe-to-toe, adding another 9 crore to Livingstone’s pocket. Finally, SRH won the race against LSG to sign Livingstone at 13 crore.
4. Prashant Veer | 14.20 crore to CSK
Prashant Veer, a little-known name, had a huge payday in the IPL 2026 auction. Five teams showed interest once his name came up for bidding.
And the reason? His solid all-round performances. Veer can bowl left-arm spin and bat in the middle order.
LSG and Mumbai Indians (MI) fought till 1.20 crore. Then Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jumped in to perhaps sign their next Ravindra Jadeja. They resisted bids from LSG, Rajasthan Royals (RR), and SRH.
When the hammer came down, Veer became a Super King at 14.20 crore. Funnily, Veer played for Noida Super Kings (not related to CSK) in the UP T20 League in 2025. Now, he will play for CSK in IPL 2026.
Also Read | IPL 2026 Auction: Complete Squads of All IPL Teams
3. Kartik Sharma | 14.20 crore to CSK
Veer wasn’t the only uncapped Indian to have a dream payday. Kartik Sharma joined him, bagging a similar deal from CSK.
MI and LSG opened the bid (once again!). MI dropped out early, though, as KKR walked in.
LSG hung up as the bid rose to 2.80 crore. KKR were still in as CSK barged in, adding another 10 crore.
It seemed CSK had their man at 13 crore. But then SRH made a late entry to take the bid to 14 crore. CSK, adamant to sign the keeper-batter, sealed Kartik’s services at 14.20 crore.
2. Matheesha Pathirana | 18 crore to KKR
While CSK went shopping for new talent, they showed zero interest in bidding for their former player. While Matheesha Pathirana couldn’t reunite with CSK, he did reunite with a familiar name – Dwayne Bravo.
How? Bravo had worked with Pathirana in CSK. And perhaps that played a part in KKR signing the Sri Lankan slingy pacer.
But it was Delhi Capitals (DC) and LSG who opened the bidding. In no time, the bid reached 15.80 crore when DC dropped out. Then KKR swooped in late to snatch Pathirana from LSG’s clutches at 18 crore.
1. Cameron Green | 25.20 crore to KKR
No surprise here, at all! Cameron Green was the most in-demand player in the IPL 2026 auction. And fittingly, Green turned out to be the most expensive player.
Funnily, MI, with the lowest purse, opened the bid! Although MI left soon, KKR engaged in a battle with RR.
The bid went up to 13.60 crore when RR quit. Enter CSK, who were one of the favourites to go after Green. And they did.
It was CSK-KKR all the way as the bid breached the 25 crore mark, first for an overseas player. KKR raised it to 25.20 crore, making their intentions pretty clear.
CSK then backed out. And so, Green became a Knight Rider at 25.20 crore, although he’ll get 7.2 crore less. Why? Find out here.
Read Next | IPL 2026: List of Confirmed Player Trades
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