The IPL 2026 Mini Auction at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi wrapped up on Sunday with a clear message from franchises: planning mattered more than hype. Paddles went up quickly, budgets were used with purpose, and teams largely stuck to pre-decided strategies. While there were a few predictable bidding wars, the bigger takeaway was how some franchises, especially Chennai Super Kings, moved away from old habits and looked firmly ahead.
KKR Go All-In for Cameron Green, RCB Add Balance
Cameron Green was always expected to be the most expensive buy of the auction, and Kolkata Knight Riders made sure there was no doubt about it. With the largest purse available, KKR pushed hard and secured the Australian all-rounder for ₹25.20 crore, making him the highest-paid player of the IPL 2026 auction. The franchise clearly sees Green as a long-term investment, someone who can anchor the middle order and offer key overs with the ball.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru stayed relatively measured but smart. They picked up Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore, adding a left-hand batting option who also gives them flexibility at the top. Shortly after, RCB brought in New Zealand medium pacer Jacob Duffy for ₹2 crore, a move aimed more at squad depth than headlines.
CSK Break Tradition and Spend Big on Uncapped Indians
The most interesting shift at this auction came from Chennai Super Kings. Known for backing experience over experimentation, CSK surprised many by spending ₹28 crore on two uncapped Indian players — Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. The duo cost ₹14 crore each, a bold call that signals a change in how the franchise views modern T20 cricket.
Both youngsters have impressed in the Cooch Behar Trophy and have had strong runs with India’s Under-19 sides. CSK’s move suggests they are no longer waiting for players to “age into” the IPL but are willing to invest early in skill, fitness, and adaptability. It’s a clear departure from their usual auction behavior and possibly a sign of long-term transition planning.
Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw Get Second Chances In IPL
The accelerated round brought some late relief for Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw. After going unsold initially, both players were picked up at their base price of ₹75 lakh. Sarfaraz returned to the IPL with CSK, while Shaw found his way back to Delhi Capitals, a franchise that had moved on from him last season.
Neither signing caused a bidding frenzy, but both could prove valuable if given defined roles. For Shaw and Sarfaraz, the IPL 2026 season now becomes less about reputation and more about making the opportunity count.
The IPL 2026 auction may not have been chaotic, but it was revealing. Big money was invested in players who fit long-term plans, youth was backed without hesitation, and a few careers were quietly given another chance. That, more than the numbers, summed up the day in Abu Dhabi.
