Which players faced the biggest pay cuts after the IPL 2026 auction?

The IPL 2026 mini-auction held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi saw the usual mix of record-breaking buys and shocking misses. While players like Cameron Green, Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma walked away with massive payouts, many names faced financial setbacks. Changes in team strategies, inconsistent performances and consideration of team balance resulted in some players taking massive pay cuts compared to their IPL 2025 contracts.

369 players were auctioned in the 2026 mini-auction, with franchises filling 77 slots. Performance, availability, fitness concerns and impact in pressure situations in IPL 2025 played a major role in the drop in valuation. As franchises prioritized flexibility, once expensive players were either released or re-entered the auction pool at significantly lower prices.

Who had the biggest pay cut in the auction? Venkatesh IyerBought by KKR for Rs 23,75 crore in IPL 2025, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder failed to justify the price, scoring just 142 runs in seven innings, Released ahead of the 2026 season, Iyer returned to the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore, After a slow start to the bidding, RCB eventually outbid KKR to secure him for Rs 7 crore, taking a huge cut of Rs 16,75 crore,

Additionally, Indian fast bowler Akash Deep, signed by LSG for Rs 8 crore in IPL 2025, took only three wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 12.05. He remained unsold in the early rounds of the 2026 auction, before KKR bought him in the quick round at a base price of Rs 1 crore, resulting in a price cut of Rs 7 crore.

South Africa's experienced batsman David Miller also faced a huge cut. Miller, who earned Rs 7.5 crore in IPL 2025, was sold to Delhi Capitals in 2026 for Rs 2 crore. Injured fast bowler Anrich Nortje's market value has dropped significantly after earning Rs 6.5 crore with KKR in IPL 2025 and playing only two matches. He entered the 2026 auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore and was bought at that figure by LSG, dropping to Rs 4.5 crore.

Ultimately, Wanindu Hasaranga He was picked by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 5.25 crore but was released due to his tremendous returns. In the 2026 auction, he was signed by LSG at his base price of Rs 2 crore, with a salary cut of Rs 3.25 crore.