IPL auctions rely on drama and unpredictability, but each season brings surprises that leave fans and experts perplexed. At the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction, conducted on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, several extremely intriguing, amusing, and shocking deals went under the hammer.

Another prevalent element of these auctions is that teams tend to splurge on some individuals, in the context of squad restructuring for long-term goals and aspirations, who may not offer much value to their lineup. With that said, let's take a look at three players from the 2026 IPL Mini-Auction whose contracts were shockingly high. 

1. Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone was acquired for a colossal ₹13 crore by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who were already having a swashbuckling and robust batting lineup. Many fanatics assumed the Orange side would try to ease their woes of a reliable spinner, who has quietly haunted their winning chances in the tournament. But the English batter's inclusion would indeed make it strong for them with the willow and a decent spin option. If things don't go their way, it would hinder them to the core and make them contemplate the IPL auction decision-making process. 

2. Matheesha Pathirana

Despite ongoing injury concerns, the Kolkata Knight Riders committed to the Sri Lankan speedster, Matheesha Pathirana. Pathirana conceded more than 10 runs per over during his penultimate IPL season, and he played only two international matches in 2025, taking one wicket at an alarming average of 82. For ₹18 crore, availability and form remain big concerns. Though Pathirana is hailed as the next Lasith Malinga due to his bowling ability, it remains unclear whether he is a viable long-term option for the three-time IPL champions. 

3. Josh Inglis

The Lucknow Super Giants acquired Josh Inglis despite knowing he would only be available for four games at an exorbitant price of ₹8.6 crore. The scenario becomes more complicated because the Lucknow Super Giants already have Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran as wicketkeepers. Inglis' prospects of reaching the XI appear poor, with Mitchell Marsh, Pooran, Markram, Hasaranga, and Nortje all set to take the overseas positions. Furthermore, his strained relationship with the prior arsenal, Punjab Kings, in terms of last-minute mediation to remove him from the former team's roster, may call into question his credibility.