jonny bairstowexplosive England The wicketkeeper-batsman, one of the most sought-after foreign players IPL 2026 Mini-AuctionHe has kept his base price at ₹1 crore, With an impressive IPL career strike rate of over 146 and dual value as a top-order batsman and wicketkeeper, he offers immense flexibility,
The franchise is well aware of his ability to destroy powerplay bowling, a talent he displayed briefly in some high-impact innings. Mumbai Indians Last season. His full availability for the entire tournament, following his decision to focus solely on T20 cricket, makes him an even more attractive commodity for teams looking for proven ability and a wicket-keeping option overseas.
5 franchises that could target Jonny Bairstow in IPL 2026 auction
1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- purse: ₹64.30 crore (highest)
- need: KKR have the biggest purse and one big difference in their squad: They have released all the designated wicketkeepers (quinton de kock And Rahmanullah Gurbaz) and need a top-order foreign batsman.
- logic: Bairstow is the ideal player to solve both problems while acting as a dynamic player opening batter and a starting wicketkeeperHis aggressive style matches KKR’s desired approach, and his significant budget allows them to become the primary bidder to secure him and strengthen their top order,
2. Delhi Capitals (DC)
- purse: ₹21.80 crore
- need: DC is in desperate need of an explosive foreign opening partner KL Rahul After releasing Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk. He also needs flexibility in the wicketkeeping department.
- logic: He provides the perfect high-impact, attacking solution at the top of the order, and his wicketkeeping skills give DC a valuable option if they opt for an Indian middle-order keeper.
3. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- purse: ₹43.40 crore (second highest)
- need: CSK are looking for a long-term wicketkeeper and a high-impact opening/top-order batsman along with Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- logic: Bairstow’s dual skills make him a strategic target. He can provide instant batting firepower at the top and can deliver as a world-class, long term wicketkeeping option In the squad. His consistent IPL record and experience meshes well with CSK’s philosophy of acquiring proven match-winners.
4. Gujarat Titans (GT)
- purse: ₹12.90 crore
- need: GT needs an overseas player who can bat at No. 3 to provide stability or acceleration after the partnership Shubman Gill And Sai SudarshanThey also need an upgrade in their keeping options,
- logic: Bairstow’s ability to adapt to his batting positions and his strong IPL record makes him a flexible and reliable asset. For a low-budget team, securing a player with both batting and keeping skills at his base price of ₹1 crore (if the bid doesn’t rise too steeply) would be a highly efficient investment.
5. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- purse: ₹11.50 crore
- need: PBKS have released their primary overseas wicketkeeper and are in dire need of a high-impact, proven opening batsman to set the tone with their intact Indian core.
- logic: Bairstow has a history of successful, aggressive innings in the IPL, and his style matches perfectly with PBKS’ strategy of fearless, high-scoring cricket. If the price becomes too high by bidding for players like Quinton de Kock, PBKS could make a strong bid for Bairstow, who is also listed at a base price of ₹1 crore, to maximize their limited funds on a top-tier player.
Also read: Cameron Green reveals the real reason behind being listed as a ‘batsman’ in the IPL 2026 auction