Who Are the Top 5 Most Expensive Players in IPL 2026 Mini Auction?

The gavel came down in Abu Dhabi, and all of us collectively dropped our jaws. When we thought we had seen the absolute height of IPL auction madness with Mitchell Starc’s prior record, the 2026 mini-auction showed us that franchise purses have NO END. What we are witnessing is NOT simple inflation; what we are witnessing is an earthquake where uncapped Indian talent is now commanding prices at levels equal to those of international captains. If you were too busy to watch the livestream on Sportslivehub and didn’t see it live, don’t worry about missing it; the numbers will show you everything you need to know.

Cameron Green (KKR) – ₹25.20 Crore

Cameron Green at ₹25.20 crore isn’t just a purchase; it is a declaration of intent. By making the Aussie giant the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, KKR has officially thrown budget caution to the wind. Is he worth more than the GDP of a small island nation? KKR management thinks so. They desperately needed a direct replacement for the impact Andre Russell once provided, and in Green, they see a long-term engine room. The tactical fit at Eden Gardens is undeniable. Pace, bounce, and clean striking are non-negotiables there. It is a heavy price tag to carry, but Green’s ability to bat anywhere in the top order and bowl four overs makes him a rare commodity in modern T20 cricket.

Matheesha Pathirana (KKR) – ₹18 Crore

If Green was the main course, Matheesha Pathirana was the incredibly expensive, spicy side dish. KKR’s strategy was transparent: secure 8 overs of absolute terror between their top buys. Pathirana’s slingy action makes him a death-overs goldmine, and Kolkata clearly decided that budget constraints are for other franchises. Spending ₹18 crore on a specialist bowler shows how much the game has evolved; teams are no longer just paying for runs, they are paying a premium for dot balls. The prospect of facing his yorkers under the Eden Gardens lights is going to keep opposition batters awake at night.

Uncapped Prashant Veer (CSK) – ₹14.20 Crore

Here is where the logic gets twisted most delightfully. Prashant Veer, a name that casual fans likely scrambled to Google, fetched ₹14.20 crore from Chennai Super Kings. This makes him a joint-record holder for the most expensive uncapped player in history. While KKR bought television superstars, CSK bought potential. It is classic yellow-jersey philosophy: trust the scout, ignore the fame. However, spending this much on a domestic talent is a massive flex of their scouting network’s confidence.

Uncapped Kartik Sharma (CSK) – ₹14.20 Crore

CSK didn’t stop at one; they doubled down. By picking up Kartik Sharma for the same record-breaking price of ₹14.20 crore, Chennai sent a shockwave through the room. While rivals chased big foreign names, CSK invested nearly ₹29 crore on two players who haven’t yet played for India. Sharma is known for his grit and adaptability traits that MS Dhoni’s franchise values above all else. Are they the next big things, or is this auction fever gone wrong? Only time will tell, but at Chepauk, unknown names have a funny habit of becoming legends.

Liam Livingstone (SRH) – ₹13 Crore

At a time when the IPL auction is so high, buying a player as dangerous as Liam Livingstone at an amount of ₹13 Crore seems to be a ‘bargain.’ With other teams focused on landing the Top Four spots, Sunrisers Hyderabad have quietly grabbed one of the most explosive hitters in the game and are going to make it extremely difficult for opposing captains to pick which bowlers to bowl to. The focus from SRH is to create a middle order that is going to be a problem for the opposing team’s captain. His capacity to deliver both off-spin and leg-spin introduces a dynamic edge to the bowling unit, crucially optimizing the team’s overall balance.

FAQs

Who is the most expensive player in IPL history after the 2026 auction?

Cameron Green is now the most expensive overseas player ever, sold to KKR for ₹25.20 crore.

Which uncapped players created history in the IPL 2026 auction?

Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma became the joint-most-expensive uncapped players, both sold to CSK for ₹14.20 crore.

How much money did franchises spend in total during the auction?

The 10 franchises spent a combined total of ₹215.45 crore to fill 77 player slots.

Disclaimer: This Today’s Trending (Blog) expresses the author’s personal insights and analysis. We encourage readers to consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

Dive into Sports World like never before! Visit Bjsports for the Today’s Trending (Blog) made just for you—relive golden nostalgia, feel the thrill of today’s updates, and stay ahead of the Sports World. Don’t miss a moment—join the fun now!