Who Will Be the Most Expensive Player in the IPL Auction?: IPL franchises have a lot of money in their pockets. As a result, some players could suddenly find themselves becoming millionaires next week. They could be showered with money at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
In the auction, franchises will look beyond just the quality of the player and focus on who can fill the most needed roles. This means all-round stars, top-quality finishers, and pace bowlers will always be in demand. Who are the leading candidates to fetch the highest bids in the IPL 2026 auction? Let’s take a look.
5. Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga’s value will be as a lower-order power hitter who can also provide four overs of high-quality spin. CSK should be very interested, as should established teams like SRH and RR, who need support in their spin department and some lower-order hitting.
4. Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi could be the most expensive Indian player. A quality leg-spinner for the Indian team, he will surely shine if given the right environment. KKR might be interested in a three-pronged spin attack. CSK needs a partner for Noor Ahmad after the Jadeja-Ashwin duo. Sunrisers Hyderabad needs help in the spin bowling department. He could easily fetch upwards of 15 crore rupees.
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3. Venkatesh Iyer
Among the Indian batsmen who will attract the most attention, two main names stand out: Prithvi Shaw and Venkatesh Iyer. Shaw went unsold last season. Meanwhile, Iyer will undoubtedly command a higher price. He is now a pure batsman, his bowling has diminished in recent years, but there are many teams that could utilize Venkatesh to stabilize their middle order.
2. Matheesha Pathirana
Chennai Super Kings surprised fans by releasing him. Pathirana could be seen as a leading option for death bowling in the auction. Capable of bowling yorkers at will, Pathirana is set to return from a quiet 2025 season. CSK could bring back their Sri Lankan star, but they will also have to compete with teams that struggled with death bowling in 2025.
1. Cameron Green
Cameron Green could be the leading candidate to fetch the highest price in this auction. The Australian seam-bowling all-rounder is one of the leading talents in T20 cricket. After missing a season due to injury, he is perhaps returning as the best player on the list. Moreover, he could be signed up purely as a batter.
Following the 2023 season, where he averaged 50.22 and had a strike rate of over 160, Green is almost certain to be bought for over 20 crore, and Kolkata Knight Riders or Chennai Super Kings could bid big for him to address their middle-order needs.
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