Abu Dhabi, December 16, 2025: Australia allrounder Cameron Green was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 25.20 crore ($2.8 million approx.), making him the most expensive overseas player ever at an IPL auction and the third-highest overall.
KKR also secured Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana for INR 18 crore ($1.97 million approx.), the second-most expensive purchase at the IPL 2026 auction.
However, the spotlight was stolen by uncapped Indian talents. Twenty-year-old left-arm spin allrounder Prashant Veer and 19-year-old wicketkeeper Kartik Sharma were bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 14.2 crore each, breaking the previous record of INR 10 crore set by Avesh Khan in 2022. Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi also commanded a high price, joining Delhi Capitals for INR 8.4 rore.
KKR, with the largest purse of INR 64.3 crore, faced competition for Green from CSK, who had a purse of INR 43.4 crore. The bidding began with Mumbai Indians (MI) but they quickly exited due to a limited purse. Rajasthan Royals (RR) took the bid to INR 13.40 crore before leaving, allowing CSK to compete with KKR. The bidding for Green lasted over ten minutes, eventually placing him behind Rishabh Pant (INR 27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crore) in the list of most expensive IPL players.
Due to IPL salary cap rules for overseas players, Green will receive only INR 18 crore, with the remaining INR 7.2 crore allocated to the BCCI for player welfare. Green, who made his IPL debut in 2023 with MI, previously played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and did not register for the 2025 mega auction due to a back injury.
Other notable buys included South Africa batter David Miller to Delhi Capitals at his base price, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga to Lucknow Super Giants at INR 2 crore, and Venkatesh Iyer moving to RCB for INR 7 crore. During accelerated rounds, CSK snapped up uncapped Indians Sarfaraz and Rahul Chahar, while SRH purchased Liam Livingstone for INR 13 crore.
Among wicketkeepers, MI bought Quinton de Kock, DC secured Ben Duckett, and KKR added Finn Allen, all at base prices. CSK focused on uncapped Indian talent later in the auction, reinforcing their strategic spending approach.
High-value buys in the accelerated round included DC acquiring Pathum Nissanka (INR 4 crore), GT buying Jason Holder (INR 7 crore), KKR signing Mustafizur Rahman (INR 9.2 crore), CSK getting Rahul Chahar (INR 5.2 crore), and LSG adding Josh Inglis (INR 8.6 crore).
The IPL 2026 auction highlighted the increasing demand for overseas stars alongside emerging domestic talent, with teams strategically balancing big-money signings and budget allocations.
