The BCCI confirmed the final shortlist for the IPL 2026 auction on Tuesday, December 9, narrowing the list down to 350 players from a total of 1,390 registrations. Notably, the auction of shortlisted players will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, where franchises will compete to sign and complete their squads.
The player pool for the upcoming auction has a mix of domestic and international talent, with a high number of Indian players. Most of them are uncapped, while a good number of experienced foreign cricketers also strengthen the list.
Teams will compete for 77 available squad places, with 31 reserved for foreign signings. Like previous auctions, the highest base price for the most sought-after names in the lineup is ₹2 crore.
3 teams that could change overnight after the auction
Kolkata Knight Riders
Kolkata Knight Riders will enter the IPL 2026 auction looking to fix three major deficiencies in their team. They do not have a first-choice wicketkeeper, a settled opening batsman or a premium all-rounder after releasing players like Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell.
KKR is expected to be very active in the auction. They have the biggest purse, which gives them the freedom to rebuild the team properly rather than just chasing one star player.
Their main focus will be on signing a keeper, a consistent opener and an all-rounder. With plenty of money and clear needs, Kolkata will look to rebuild their core ahead of the new season by targeting players like Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, Mahesh Theekshana and Cameron Green.
Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a clear plan. They need to sign a high-quality overseas all-rounder to fill the void left by Sam Curran. Most of the squad remains stable, so they only need a few key additions to maintain balance in the middle order and pace attack.
Their top priority is an all-rounder with power-hitting ability, who can strengthen both their batting depth and bowling options. Players like Liam Livingstone and Cameron Green are suitable for this role.
CSK will also be looking for a fast bowling backup to support Nathan Ellis to ensure adequate cover for the long season. With a strong purse of ₹43.40 crore, the franchise is well-equipped to aggressively target these players and complete their setup for 2026.
Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants will enter the 2026 auction with more pressure than most teams. He released finisher David Miller and lead spinner Ravi Bishnoi, leaving the team vulnerable in two crucial phases. LSG will need to overhaul the core of its lineup.
With a purse of ₹22.95 crore, they need to sign a finisher, a frontline spinner and an all-rounder who can balance the team. They can consider names like Mathisha Pathirana, Rahul Chahar, Venkatesh Iyer, Abhinav Manohar, Mustafizur Rahman and Matt Henry.
Also read: IPL 2026 auction: Domestic actors who deserve ₹5+ crore deals
