A total of 359 players are set to be auctioned on December 16 in Abu Dhabi for the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League season. The mini auctions have historically seen bowlers and all-rounders secure lucrative deals, and this trend is expected to continue this year. As the anticipation builds for the IPL 2026 auction, let’s take a look back at the 10 most expensive players ever signed in previous mini auctions.
Leading the list is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction. Following closely behind is Australia’s Test and ODI captain, Pat Cummins, who was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore in the same auction.
Other notable signings include England’s Sam Curran, who fetched Rs 18.50 crore from Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023 auction, and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who joined Mumbai Indians for Rs 17.50 crore in the same year.
South African all-rounder Chris Morris secured a massive Rs 16.25 crore deal with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2021 auction, while England’s Ben Stokes signed for the same amount with Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 auction.
Legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 16 crore in the IPL 2015 auction, and former West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran fetched the same amount from Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2023 auction.
Rounding out the list is Australian pacer Pat Cummins, who was acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 15.50 crore in the IPL 2020 auction, and New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson, who joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 15 crore in the IPL 2021 auction.
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