IPL 2026 Mini-AuctionThe showdown, to be held at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on December 16, promises to be an intense bidding war with 350 shortlisted players from 1,390 registrants, including 110 foreign stars. Franchises enter with a purse of up to ₹64.3 crore Kolkata Knight RidersWith an eye on retention and post-trade reinforcement, the foreign salary has been capped at ₹18 crore under the new rules. Five foreign players stand out as prime targets due to their proven skills, recent form and availability after release
5 foreign cricketers likely to get big bids in IPL 2026 auction
- cameron green
cameron green Headlines in the auction pool at ₹2 crore base price, listed as a batsman but he has been cleared to bowl in IPL 2025 after back surgery. The Australian all-rounder provides middle-order stability and a seam option, having scored 255 runs at an economy of 8.62 and taken six wickets for RCB in 2024; KKR and CSK, with bigger purses and overseas slots, see them as a andre russell Or Sam Curran replacement.
- liam livingstone
liam livingstone Entered after RCB’s release despite their IPL 2025 title, he scored 112 runs at a strike rate of 133 in 10 matches and also took two wickets. The England powerhouse thrives in the T20 Blast and The Hundred 2025 with an average close to 40 and a strike rate of over 160, making him ideal for explosive cameos; Mumbai IndiansKKR, and LSG could fuel a multi-team search for his leg-spin utility
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- Mathisha Pathirana
Mathisha Pathirana CSK’s release came as a shock despite taking 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches at an average of 21.62 and an economy of 8.68, a death over yorker specialist bowling the ball at 153 kmph. The 22-year-old Sri Lankan’s LPL and international form, with 132 T20 wickets, puts him at base at ₹2 crore; KKR, SRH and LSG eye 2025 surge despite injury
- Enrique Nortje
Enrique NortjeFreed by KKR after a fitness-hit IPL 2025 (one wicket in two matches, 11.86 economy), claims 61 IPL wickets at 27.16 average in 48 matches. The South African pacer, with a career-best 3/33, remains a threat with raw pace in the powerplay; Purse-rich teams like CSK or PBKS can revive his bounce for T20 impact
- jamie smith
jamie smithEngland’s rising wicketkeeper-batsman brings a T20 strike rate of 144 with 1,687 runs and Test centuries of 184*. IndiaPriced at ₹1,5 crore, his flexibility from top order to middle order is perfect for KKR, DC or PBKS who need dynamic keepers; Five T20I fifties indicate IPL breakout potential,
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