IPL 2026 Auction Players List with Price: Complete Sold and Unsold Players

The IPL 2026 auction is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. Every year, franchise owners, cricket analysts, fans and fantasy cricket players hang on to every bid as some of the world’s best T20 cricketers find new homes in the most expensive sports auction in Indian history. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the IPL 2026 auction — from the format and rules to the complete players list with prices, big buys, surprising unsold players, and detailed team-wise auction results.

IPL 2026 Auction: Format and Rules

The IPL 2026 auction follows the standard format established by the BCCI. The auction is preceded by a retention window during which franchises can retain up to a maximum number of players before the remaining squad members are released back into the auction pool. The exact retention rules for IPL 2026 have been finalized by the BCCI, with each franchise allowed to retain a combination of capped and uncapped Indian players alongside overseas stars.

The IPL 2026 auction features two categories of players: marquee players (who are listed at the start of the auction for maximum exposure and bidding excitement) and regular players (who are sold in order of their base price category). The auction is conducted by an official auctioneer and is attended by representatives of all ten franchises.

IPL 2026 Auction: Key Rules

• Each franchise has a salary cap (purse) to spend during the auction
• Right to Match (RTM) cards can be used to match the highest bid for a released player
• Franchises can have a maximum of 25 players in their squad
• A minimum of 18 players must be retained/purchased at auction
• Maximum of 8 overseas players per squad (only 4 can play in any match)

IPL 2026 Salary Cap

The BCCI has progressively increased the IPL salary cap over the years to keep pace with the growing commercial value of the league. For IPL 2026, the salary cap per franchise has been set at a record level, reflecting the increased broadcasting revenues and commercial partnerships that have made IPL the world’s richest T20 league.

Teams with multiple high-value retentions have a smaller pool of money to spend at auction, while teams that released most of their squad have significantly more funds available, making them dangerous buyers who can dramatically reshape their squads.

Most Expensive Players in IPL 2026 Auction

The IPL auction always produces moments of shock and awe as bidding wars between rival franchises drive up prices for the most sought-after players. In IPL 2026, several players are expected to command record-breaking prices based on their recent performances in international cricket and previous IPL seasons.

Top Indian Players at Auction

Indian players, particularly those who have recently made their international debuts or have been released by their previous franchises, tend to attract the most competitive bidding. Young Indian talents with bright futures ahead of them, and experienced India internationals who come with proven IPL records, are the most coveted assets at auction.

Uncapped Indian players who have been in superb domestic form — particularly in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — are also targets for franchises looking to build for the future while staying within their salary cap.

Top Overseas Players at Auction

Overseas players from England, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are always in high demand at IPL auctions. Players who have performed brilliantly in other T20 leagues — such as the BBL, CPL, SA20, and ILT20 — often receive significant interest from IPL franchises.

Team-wise Auction Budget and Spending

Here is an overview of how the ten IPL 2026 franchises approached the auction in terms of available budget and spending priorities:

Mumbai Indians

MI entered the IPL 2026 auction with a medium-sized purse after retaining their core players. Their focus was on adding depth in the middle-order batting and reinforcing their pace bowling attack. MI are known for identifying undervalued players and getting them for far less than market value.

Chennai Super Kings

CSK entered with a large purse after releasing several aging players ahead of the auction. The team’s strategy was to invest heavily in one or two proven match-winners while using the remaining budget to fill out their squad with value picks. CSK have always been astute auction operators, rarely overpaying for players.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB’s auction strategy revolved around bolstering their bowling attack while maintaining their batting depth. After years of being criticized for over-investing in batting and neglecting bowling, RCB have been more balanced in their recent auction approaches.

Kolkata Knight Riders

As defending champions, KKR’s auction approach was conservative — they retained their best players and used the auction to add depth and backup options rather than making wholesale changes that could disrupt team chemistry.

Surprising Buys at IPL 2026 Auction

Every IPL auction has its share of surprising buys — players who command much higher prices than expected because of unexpected bidding wars between franchises. These surprise buys often become the stories of the auction, with cricket analysts debating the wisdom of the investments for weeks afterward.

Young domestic players who have been in excellent form in the months leading up to the auction are particularly likely to be surprise packages, as franchises compete to secure the next big Indian talent before their rivals.

Unsold Players at IPL 2026 Auction

Not every player who enters the IPL auction finds a buyer. Players can go unsold if their base price is set too high relative to their perceived value, or if all franchises have already filled the specific role that player would fill in their squad. Unsold players can be recalled for a second attempt at a lower base price, but if they remain unsold, they do not feature in IPL 2026.

Some of the most shocking moments in IPL auction history have involved established international players going unsold, only to return to the auction pool at reduced base prices. These instances serve as a reminder that the IPL auction is driven purely by team needs and budget constraints, not just individual player quality.

IPL 2026 Auction: Impact on Team Balance

The auction fundamentally reshapes the balance of all ten franchises. Teams that execute their strategy well at auction tend to be more competitive during the season, while those that overpay for players or fail to address their specific needs often struggle despite having talented squads.

The most successful auction strategies typically involve: identifying the two or three positions of greatest need, setting clear budget limits for each purchase, using RTM cards strategically, and having backup options if primary targets are outbid by rival franchises.

How to Follow IPL 2026 Auction Live

The IPL 2026 auction is broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on JioCinema, with expert analysis and real-time updates available on CrickViews. Our auction tracker provides instant updates on every bid, sold price, and team-wise spending throughout the event.

Conclusion

The IPL 2026 auction is more than just a transaction — it is a theatrical event that sets the tone for the entire season. The decisions made in those few hours of intense bidding will determine which teams have the firepower to compete for the title and which will struggle to fill their squad’s gaps. Stay tuned to CrickViews for complete auction coverage, including live updates, expert analysis, and detailed post-auction squad breakdowns for all ten franchises.