Building of; construction of ipl 2026 mini auction The hustle has gained momentum after BCCI confirmed 1,355 players have registered for the event before the November 30 deadline. The auction, to be held at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi on December 16, is set to have one of the biggest initial lists in IPL history.
Among the most notable entries is the Australian all-rounder cameron greenWhich is the title of the foreign team. In contrast, fellow Australian star glen maxwell There has been debate about the end of the era of one of the IPL’s most dynamic entertainers.
Despite the huge registration pool, only 77 slots are available across the 10 franchises, including 31 overseas venues, meaning the list will be significantly reduced once teams submit their wish lists by December 5.
Cameron Green leads ₹2 crore base-price group; Franchise is eyeing an aggressive bid
After skipping the last mega auction due to a back injury, Cameron Green has entered the 2026 pool at the highest base price of ₹2 crore. With teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) looking for a fast bowling all-rounder, Green is already being seen as a potential record-breaking buy.
The ₹2 crore bracket includes many big names like Liam Livingstone, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Mathisha Pathirana, josh inglisMustafizur Rahman and Steve Smith have made it one of the most competitive high-priced groups in the recent auction.
Given Green’s youth, three-dimensional skill set and match-winning ability, he is expected to be the biggest overseas attraction at the auction.
Glenn Maxwell’s absence sparks retirement speculation
In sharp contrast, Glenn Maxwell’s name is missing from the registration list as Punjab Kings (PBKS) released him after a difficult, injury-filled 2025 season. The 37-year-old could manage only 48 runs and four wickets but his campaign was cut short due to a finger fracture.
Multiple reports indicate that Maxwell decided not to register for IPL 2026, effectively ruling himself out of the season. His absence has reignited speculation that his IPL career may be over, especially given his age, form and increased focus on other T20 leagues around the world.
Maxwell’s decision marks a major change for the player who was once considered one of the most explosive all-rounders in the IPL, raising questions whether fans have seen his last match in the tournament.
Absence of big names changes the dynamics of the 2026 auction pool
Maxwell is not the only high-profile name missing from the 2026 auction. Andre Russell, one of T20 cricket’s most iconic power-hitters, has officially retired from the IPL and has joined KKR’s support staff as power-hitting coach.
Meanwhile, veteran international players Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali have confirmed that they will prefer the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2026, refusing to participate in the IPL altogether.
These absences open the door for young all-round options – particularly fast-rising stars like Green and Mathisha Pathirana – to command premium bids.
Also read: IPL 2026 auction date and venue confirmed; Players bid for day long program
As the battle for money rages on, franchises prepare for the final auction pool
Overall, the 10 IPL teams have ₹237.55 crore left before the auction. KKR enters with the biggest purse with ₹64.30 crore, followed by CSK at second place with ₹43.40 crore, with both positioning themselves as the front runners to chase down the marquee names in the ₹2 crore bracket.
Once the teams submit their short wish lists, the IPL will narrow down the list of 1,355 players to the final auction pool. The franchises will then focus on filling the major voids created by pre-auction releases and retentions, setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding competition in Abu Dhabi.
