Australian left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis, who had initially gone unsold at his base price of Rs 1 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, found a late turnaround in fortunes after being picked up by Punjab Kings for Rs 4.40 crore in the accelerated round.
The move marked a sharp reversal from the earlier auction phase, where franchises passed on the experienced Big Bash League campaigner despite his proven T20 credentials.
From unsold to high-value pick
Dwarshuis had entered the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of Rs 1 crore but did not attract any bids in the first round. However, Punjab Kings returned strongly for the Australian left-armer once the accelerated round began, eventually pushing the price to Rs 4.40 crore to secure his services.
The late bidding surge suggests Punjab Kings were keen to add an experienced left-arm pace option to strengthen their bowling depth, particularly for powerplay and death-overs situations.
IPL history and background
Despite being around the IPL ecosystem for several years, Dwarshuis is yet to make his tournament debut.
He was first bought by Kings XI Punjab in the 2018 auction, but did not feature in a match. Later, he joined Delhi Capitals in 2021 as a replacement for Chris Woakes, once again without getting a game. The IPL 2026 season will therefore present him with another opportunity to finally make his on-field debut in the league.
Why Punjab Kings went for Dwarshuis
Dwarshuis brings with him significant experience from the Big Bash League, where he has been a key performer for the Sydney Sixers. Known for his left-arm angle, variations, and ability to bowl under pressure, he offers Punjab Kings a different bowling dimension, especially on slower surfaces.
His acquisition at Rs 4.40 crore also underlines how franchises often reassess squad needs during the accelerated rounds, with experienced overseas players finding renewed demand once purse strategies and combinations become clearer.
With Punjab Kings securing him late in the auction, IPL 2026 could finally mark Ben Dwarshuis’ long-awaited debut season in the tournament after multiple near-misses in the past.
