IPL Auction 2026's most expensive buys: From Cameron Green to Prashant Veer

NEW DELHI: Franchises opened their purses freely at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, splashing big money to secure their preferred targets. Kolkata Knight Riders stole the spotlight by spending a record Rs 25.20 crore to sign Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, while also shelling out Rs 18 crore to rope in Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana during Tuesday’s proceedings.




Uncapped Indian players also commanded significant attention, with Uttar Pradesh’s 20-year-old left-arm spinner Prashant Veer emerging as one of the biggest winners. Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for Rs 14.20 crore, making him the highest-paid uncapped player in IPL auction history after he entered the auction at a base price of Rs 30 lakh.





Another major gainer was Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.40 crore. Dar, too, had a base price of Rs 30 lakh and featured prominently among the standout uncapped buys of the mini auction.


Green’s signing rewrote the record books as he went past fellow Australian Mitchell Starc’s previous overseas mark of Rs 24.75 crore to become the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history. The all-rounder attracted a fierce bidding war between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, with KKR eventually prevailing.


KKR were also involved in the race for India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer but withdrew as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured him for Rs 7 crore.


Pathirana, who entered the auction at a base price of Rs 2 crore, went on to become the most expensive Sri Lankan ever sold at an IPL auction.


Green has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has featured in 29 IPL matches, scoring 707 runs and picking up 16 wickets.

IPL Auction 2026: Most expensive buys