Overview:
Bishnoi is expected to remain a popular choice at the IPL 2026 auction. He brings valuable experience and has shown solid form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26.
The IPL 2026 auction is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. While the BCCI had earlier finalised a list of 350 players, the auction pool has now been expanded to 359 cricketers after nine additional players were included.
Out of the total players available for bidding, 244 are from India and 115 are overseas. The auction will follow eight different base-price slabs, starting from Rs 30 lakh and going up to Rs 2 crore. A total of 40 players have entered the auction in the top price category.
Although over 350 players are in the auction pool, franchises can fill a maximum of 77 slots, including 31 reserved for overseas cricketers.
IPL 2026 auction: Predicted top five most expensive buys
This list focuses on predicting the five players likely to attract the highest bids at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Cameron Green
Cameron Green is widely expected to be the biggest buy at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. Despite missing IPL 2025 while recovering from back surgery, the Australian all-rounder remains highly valued and is likely to spark a bidding war.
Green previously impressed for the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighted by his unbeaten 100 off 47 balls in IPL 2023. With his power-hitting and useful medium pace, he is tipped to finish as the costliest player at the auction.
Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi was released by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2026 auction after being part of the squad from 2022 to 2025. The leg-spinner had his standout season in 2023, picking up 16 wickets while maintaining an economy of 7.74, but his numbers dipped in the next two editions with 10 wickets in 2024 and nine in 2025.
Despite this, Bishnoi is expected to remain a popular choice at the IPL 2026 auction. He brings valuable experience and has shown solid form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26, picking up nine wickets in seven matches. His knack for striking at key moments could help him attract a strong bid.
Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana was developed by Chennai Super Kings after joining the team in IPL 2022 and played a key role in their 2023 title win, taking 19 wickets with an economy of eight. He followed it up with a strong 2024 season before injury struck.
Although his 2025 campaign was less impressive, Pathirana remains one of the most promising young fast bowlers in T20 cricket and is expected to be a major attraction at the IPL 2026 auction.
Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone had a below-par IPL 2025 after joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 8.75 crore, scoring 112 runs in eight innings at an average of 16. He registered a single fifty, though he did make a crucial contribution in the final.
Despite being released by RCB, Livingstone is expected to draw strong interest at the auction. His explosive batting, recent unbeaten 82 in the ILT20, along with his bowling and fielding ability, makes him a valuable T20 all-rounder.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer had a disappointing IPL 2025 after being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 23.75 crore, scoring only 142 runs in seven innings at an average of 20.28. His lone half-century was a quick 60 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Despite his recent struggles, Iyer is expected to draw attention at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Known for his explosive batting, he also contributes with the ball, as shown by his 3 for 17 for Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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