IPL 2026: From Venkatesh Iyer to Ravi Bishnoi to Cameron Green – 5 cricketers who might fetch big money in mini-auction
The Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction is fast approaching. In less than two weeks, close to 400 cricketers will go under the hammer at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Over 1,000 players have registered for the mini-auction on 16 December. The BCCI will announce the final, smaller list of players soon.
A mini-auction is always a tricky affair, unlike a mega auction. Franchises only look to fill a few vacant slots based on their specific requirements. This is where auction dynamics come into play. It often means several top names might miss out. The serial order of names on the list also plays a significant role in a player’s chances of being picked.
Some big names will be absent from the IPL 2026 auction. Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali, for instance, have withdrawn. They have chosen to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead. Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has also opted out after 14 long seasons and will not be part of the IPL 2026 auction. Despite the absence of these stars, a bunch of current young talents are expected to fetch big money in IPL 2026.
When is IPL 2026 auction?
The IPL 2026 mini-auction is scheduled for 16 December in Abu Dhabi. Ten franchises have a total purse of ₹237.55 crore available to fill the 77 vacant slots. Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter the auction with the maximum purse: ₹64.30 crore. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have the second-highest purse of ₹43.4 crore to fill their nine available slots.
