A major development has emerged ahead of the IPL 2026 auction as South African wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock has been added to the final list of 350 players — despite not registering initially. His inclusion came only after an IPL franchise personally requested the BCCI to add his name to the auction pool.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the franchise’s request was approved after de Kock’s stunning return to form, highlighted by his century against India in the Vizag ODI — an innings that is believed to have influenced his decision to reverse his international retirement. The Proteas star has now entered the auction with a base price of Rs 1 crore, a sharp drop from his Rs 2 crore base at the previous mega auction.
De Kock is one of 35 new entrants added to the final shortlist that BCCI released after removing 1,005 names from the original longlist. Other late inclusions include Sri Lanka’s Traveen Mathew, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera, Dunith Wellalage, Afghanistan’s Arab Gul and West Indies’ Akeem Auguste, along with several uncapped Indian players.
With the auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, de Kock’s name is now expected to generate significant interest, especially with multiple franchises needing an experienced wicket-keeper batter.