Main points:
Many players are ready for record contracts in the IPL 2026 auction. Cameron Green, Matheesa Pathirana, Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer and Wanindu Hasaranga are among the top-5 expensive players. Bidding war between the teams can increase the price of these players and the auction will become exciting.
Delhi: These days, the franchises are preparing to finalize their strategy and plan of action for the IPL auction, while on the other hand every player is waiting for a big contract. This time there are less big players from the domestic front and that is why foreign names are more in the headlines when it comes to the biggest contracts. So in the bidding war between the teams, which player will benefit the most and create a new record in increasing his bank balance? 5 top contenders:
Cameron Green:
This name is definitely in the top 5 in every discussion. Australian seam-bowling all-rounder, highly experienced in T20 cricket who is returning to IPL after a season. This time he has registered as a batsman, so the auctions will come in the market in the beginning itself and then incidentally there will be a lot of money in the purse of the teams. IPL record till now: 707 runs at 153.69 strike rate and 16 wickets in 29 matches for 2 teams. The thinking is that a contract worth Rs 20+ crore is guaranteed but in IPL it is not always what one thinks.
Mathisa Pathirana:
Can be every team’s choice as a death-bowling option. An expert in bowling yorkers, he came in the auction due to his mediocre performance in the 2025 season and hence the thinking is that only Chennai team will take him back but other teams will increase his price through bid war. IPL record so far: 47 wickets in 32 matches for Chennai team with an economy of 8.68. An interesting thing is that he did not bat even once in these 32 matches.
Ravi Bishnoi:
He may not be the most expensive player in this auction, but his name is coming up in every discussion as the most expensive Indian. An excellent leg-spinner who is in the group with the highest base price of Rs 2 crore. He was retained by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 11 crore for the last season but was released due to mediocre season record. The emphasis is on what interests KKR and Chennai the most. IPL record so far: 72 wickets in 77 matches for 2 teams at 8.21 economy.
Venkatesh Iyer:
Like Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer is also in the group with the highest base price of Rs 2 crore. In the last season, the price was more than Rs 23 crore, which could not be recovered and hence was released. One of the most talked about Indian batsmen will surely not get the same amount of money as his previous contract. He was also a useful bowler but lost this quality also. At this time, the challenge for him is to return to Team India and the way to this will be possible only by playing better in the IPL. IPL records so far: 1468 runs in 62 matches for KKR at 137.32 strike rate along with 3 wickets.
Wanindu Hasaranga:
Another Sri Lankan player who is an all-rounder. Power hitter in the lower order who can bowl 4 excellent overs of spin. There are not many foreign spinners in IPL but the equation will be which team has the vacancy for a spinner in the foreign group. This will determine their price. IPL record so far: 46 wickets in 37 matches for 2 teams with an economy of 8.41.
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