The IPL Auction for 2026 is set to take place in Abu Dhabi, with over 350 players up for grabs. The auction will commence at 2:30 PM IST, with each of the 10 IPL teams vying to secure the services of up to 77 players. Among them, 31 overseas players are available for signing, sparking speculation on whether anyone will surpass Rishabh Pant’s record as the most expensive player in IPL history, a title he claimed after being signed for Rs 27 crore by Lucknow Super Giants in the previous mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders, three-time champions, enter the auction with a hefty purse of Rs 64.30 crore, enabling them to sign up to 13 players. With six overseas slots to fill, they are eyeing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings are seeking a revamp following their last-place finish in the 2025 season. With Rs 43.40 crore at their disposal and nine slots to fill, they aim to bring back Pathirana and find a successor for Ravindra Jadeja.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants also boast substantial funds exceeding Rs 20 crore, while Mumbai Indians find themselves with a modest Rs 2.75 crore for the auction. As the bidding war unfolds, cricket enthusiasts await eagerly to see how the teams will shape up for the upcoming season.
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