Top 5 most expensive players

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction concluded in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16, with several established stars and emerging players securing lucrative contracts for the upcoming season. All 10 franchises successfully filled their teams to the maximum limit of 25 players, making it one of the most eventful mini-auctions in recent years.

Australian all-rounder tops the list of five most expensively bought players cameron greenWho was bought by three-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a huge price of ₹ 25.20 crore. Mumbai Indians (MI) initiated the bidding, and after an intense competition involving multiple franchises and around 57 bids, KKR emerged victorious in securing Green's services.

The second most expensive player was Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana. Released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the auction, Pathirana attracted huge interest and was eventually bought by KKR for ₹18 crore, leading to a significant jump in his valuation.

The third and fourth positions in the list were occupied by two uncapped Indian cricketers, Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma. CSK signed both players for ₹14.20 crore, making it the most expensive uncapped purchase in IPL auction history. Veer, an all-rounder, and Sharma, a wicketkeeper-batsman, are seen as long-term investments by the five-time champions.

Rounding out the top five was England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹13 crore. Despite a poor season with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Livingstone drew keen interest in the auction and will now join SRH's overseas corps along with Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen and Pat Cummins.

Among foreign players, Green, Pathirana and Livingstone were the three most expensive players. Bangladesh's left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was also in high demand, KKR bought him for ₹9.20 crore. Meanwhile, England wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis received ₹8.60 crore after being signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), despite indicating limited availability for the season.

5 most expensive buys in IPL 2026 mini auction

player	Country	Role	suffrage	Price (INR)
cameron green	Australia	all rounder	Kolkata Knight Riders	25.20 crores
Mathisha Pathirana	Sri Lanka	bowler	Kolkata Knight Riders	18 crores
Prashant Veer	India	all rounder	Chennai Super Kings	14.20 crores
Karthik Sharma	India	wicket keeper	Chennai Super Kings	14.20 crores
liam livingstone	England	all rounder	Sunrisers Hyderabad	13 crores

5 most expensive foreign players in IPL 2026 mini auction

player	Country	Role	suffrage	Price (INR)
cameron green	Australia	all rounder	Kolkata Knight Riders	25.20 crores
Mathisha Pathirana	Sri Lanka	bowler	Kolkata Knight Riders	18 crores
liam livingstone	England	all rounder	Sunrisers Hyderabad	13 crores
Mustafizur Rahman	bangladesh	bowler	Kolkata Knight Riders	9.20 crores
josh inglis	Australia	wicket keeper	Lucknow Super Giants	8.60 crores