IPL 2026 mini-auction, set for December 16 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, promises intense bidding wars with 350 shortlisted players from 1,390 registrants, including 110 overseas stars. Franchises enter with purses up to ₹64.3 crore like Kolkata Knight Riders, eyeing reinforcements after retentions and trades, under new rules capping overseas salaries at ₹18 crore. Five overseas players stand out as prime targets for their proven skills, recent form and availability post-release.
5 overseas cricketers likely to attract big bids in IPL 2026 auctions
- Cameron Green
Cameron Green headlines the auction pool at a ₹2 crore base price, listed as a batter but cleared to bowl after back surgery sidelined him in IPL 2025. The Australian all-rounder offers middle-order stability and seam options, having scored 255 runs and taken six wickets for RCB in 2024 at an economy of 8.62; KKR and CSK, with big purses and overseas slots, view him as a Andre Russell or Sam Curran replacement.
- Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone enters after RCB’s release despite their IPL 2025 title, having managed 112 runs at a 133 strike rate in 10 games plus two wickets. The England powerhouse thrives in T20 Blast and The Hundred 2025 with averages near 40 and strike rates over 160, making him ideal for explosive cameos; Mumbai Indians, KKR, and LSG could spark a multi-team chase for his leg-spin utility.
- Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana shocks as CSK’s release despite 47 IPL wickets in 32 matches at 21.62 average and 8.68 economy, a death-over yorker specialist clocking 153kph. The 22-year-old Sri Lankan’s LPL and international form, with 132 T20 scalps, positions him at ₹2 crore base; KKR, SRH, and LSG eye his bounce despite 2025 injury tweaks.
- Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje, freed by KKR post a fitness-hit IPL 2025 (one wicket in two games, 11.86 economy), boasts 61 IPL wickets at 27.16 average across 48 matches. South Africa’s pace ace, with career-best 3/33, remains a raw-speed threat in powerplays; purse-rich teams like CSK or PBKS may revive his bounce for T20 impact.
- Jamie Smith
Jamie Smith, England’s rising wicketkeeper-batter, brings T20 strike rates of 144 with 1,687 runs and Test centuries like 184* versus India. At ₹1.5 crore base, his flexibility from top-order to middle suits KKR, DC, or PBKS needing dynamic keepers; five T20I fifties signal IPL breakout potential.
