The IPL 2026 mini-auction will be held on Tuesday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with proceedings set to begin at 2:30 PM IST. Unlike a mega auction, this edition is focused on fine-tuning squads, but a few franchises are expected to be far more aggressive than the rest.
A total of 359 players — 246 Indians and 113 overseas players — are part of the auction pool. The 10 IPL franchises will compete to fill a maximum of 77 slots, including 31 overseas spots, with squad sizes capped at 25 players and a maximum of eight overseas players per team.
Why KKR, CSK and SRH could dominate the auction
While most teams enter the mini-auction with limited requirements, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are expected to be the busiest at the table following underwhelming seasons.
- Kolkata Knight Riders have the biggest task ahead, with 13 slots to fill and a massive purse of Rs 64.30 crore, giving them unmatched flexibility.
- Chennai Super Kings follow with Rs 43.40 crore, allowing them to target multiple all-rounders and bowlers.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Rs 25.50 crore, are also well placed to address key gaps, particularly in their bowling and batting depth.
Collectively, all teams have Rs 237.55 crore to spend, but these three franchises hold a significant chunk of the total auction purse.
Auction format and player sets
The IPL 2026 auction pool has been divided into 42 sets, classified by player roles — batters, bowlers, all-rounders and wicketkeepers — and further split into capped and uncapped categories. The auction will proceed sequentially, set by set.
- Set 1 features capped batters, including Cameron Green, David Miller and Prithvi Shaw
- Uncapped players begin appearing from Set 6
- There is no marquee set, unlike mega auctions
- Base prices range from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 2 crore
Overseas player salary cap explained
A notable rule this year is the salary cap for overseas players. The maximum amount payable to any overseas cricketer will be the lower of:
- The highest retention price (Rs 18 crore), or
- The highest bid from the previous mega auction
Since Rishabh Pant fetched Rs 27 crore in the last mega auction, the effective cap for overseas players at this mini-auction stands at Rs 18 crore. Any bid exceeding this amount will be collected by the BCCI and redirected to its player development programme.
Where to watch IPL 2026 auction live in India
- Live streaming: JioHotstar app and website
- TV telecast: Star Sports Network channels
This will be the third consecutive year the IPL auction is being held outside India, following Dubai in 2024 and Jeddah in 2025, with Abu Dhabi hosting the 2026 edition.
