The IPL 2026 mini-auction will be held in Abu Dhabi and is expected to bring intense bidding because the talent pool is limited but full of high-value players. More than 1,300 cricketers have registered for the mini-auction, making it one of the biggest pools in recent years. The auction will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

However, this is not the final list. Franchises will now study the names and prepare a shorter list by early December. Only the shortlisted players will go under the hammer during the auction.

Rajasthan Royals have retained 16 players, including 7 overseas stars, ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The team will enter the auction with a purse of ₹16.05 crore. The Jaipur-based franchise is expected to look for an overseas fast bowler as a backup for Jofra Archer, a strong finisher, and an extra spin bowler.

Here is a look at five possible targets for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 auction.

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1. Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana will be available in the auction, and RR may try to sign him to fix their death-overs bowling issues. Pathirana has played 32 IPL matches for CSK and has taken 47 wickets.

2. Aquib Nabi

Jammu and Kashmir’s Aquib Nabi has impressed with his bowling in domestic cricket, and he will be on RR’s radar. Nabi has not made his IPL debut yet, but he has taken 40 wickets in 33 T20 matches so far.

3. Rachin Ravindra

As a replacement for Sanju Samson, RR may look to sign Rachin Ravindra. The Kiwi all-rounder can open the innings or bat at No. 3 as well. Rachin has played 18 IPL matches for CSK and has scored 413 runs.

4. Shai Hope

Rajasthan Royals need experience in the middle order, and West Indies captain Shai Hope can be a perfect choice for them. The West Indies ODI and T20I captain has played nine IPL matches for DC and has scored 183 runs with a strike rate of 150.

5. Cooper Connolly

Even though Rajasthan have traded Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Donovan Ferreira ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, they can still target Australian spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly for the finisher role. Connolly has played 35 T20 matches so far, taken 13 wickets, and scored 646 runs.

The buildup to the IPL 2026 Mini Auction has intensified, and one storyline has captured the attention of fans and scouts alike: the confirmed absence of three prominent England cricketers. Their exclusion is not due to form, injury, or lack of franchise interest; instead, it stems directly from the strict auction regulations enforced by the BCCI. As teams prepare to engage in another high-stakes bidding war, these absences are already reshaping auction-room strategies.

Ben Stokes: A Decision That Echoes Forward

Ben Stokes' pathway into the IPL 2026 auction was shut the moment he chose not to register for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Under BCCI rules, a player who skips the mega auction cannot re-enter during the following mini auction cycle. Stokes made his decision during a period focused on workload management and Test commitments, and that choice now legally bars him from the 2026 mini auction.

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Harry Brook: Late Withdrawal Leads to Automatic Block

Harry Brook’s case differs but ultimately leads to the same outcome. After withdrawing from IPL 2025 shortly before the season for personal reasons, he was deemed unavailable for the remainder of the cycle. According to BCCI regulations, a player who pulls out after commitment triggers an automatic ineligibility for the next mini auction. Brook, once expected to be among the hottest overseas picks, will not feature this year.

Jason Roy: Consecutive Withdrawals Close the Door

Jason Roy’s absence results from back-to-back withdrawals. After opting out of IPL 2024 and failing to register for the 2025 mega auction, Roy effectively exited the entire cycle. Under the rules, players who skip a full mega-auction window cannot re-enter mid-cycle, making Roy ineligible as well.

With the auction scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and 77 slots open across 10 teams, the absence of these three marquee England players significantly alters the overseas landscape. Franchises now shift focus toward emerging international talents, associate-nation cricketers, and in-form domestic performers. Their absence is expected to increase competition for the remaining high-impact all-rounders and top-order hitters always premium categories in IPL bidding.

A total of 1355 cricketers from around the world have registered for the IPL 2026 players auction, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, 43 overseas players and two Indian players have put their names in the highest base price category of ₹2 crore. The auction is expected to see a big bidding war as teams look to sign top overseas stars like Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.

Green missed the 2025 season of the world’s richest franchise league because of an injury. Pathirana, on the other hand, was surprisingly released by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The young fast bowler, who has a slinging action similar to Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, is expected to be a top target for many franchises. Looking at the trend of past IPL mini auctions, it won’t be a surprise if he becomes one of the most expensive players this year.

Mitchell Starc holds the record for being the most expensive player in an IPL mini auction. He was bought for ₹24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders before IPL 2024. KKR will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a purse of ₹64.30 crore, and after keeping only 12 players, they are expected to make some big signings again.

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Why Overseas Players Can’t Get More Than ₹18 Crore

But this time, in the IPL 2026 auction, no overseas player can earn more than ₹18 crore. The reason is the new IPL rules introduced by the BCCI before last year’s mega auction. According to the rules, the maximum fee for any overseas player in a mini auction is capped at ₹18 crore. Even if a team bids more, the player will still get only ₹18 crore. This limit was based on the highest retention slab for the 2025 mega auction.

If teams bid above ₹18 crore for an overseas player, the extra amount will be used by the BCCI for player welfare. However, this rule does not apply to Indian players. Indian players will receive the full amount of their winning bid.

How the Rule Works

If players like Green or Pathirana are bought for ₹20 crore, they will receive ₹18 crore and the remaining ₹2 crore will go to BCCI’s welfare fund. But the entire ₹20 crore will be deducted from the team’s purse. If an Indian player is bought for the same amount, he will get the full ₹20 crore.

Chennai Super Kings are now in a different period after their significant off-season changes prior to IPL 2026. The team made a significant move by trading their key all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, for Sanju Samson. This trade surprised the fans a lot, but on the other hand, it benefited the team financially as it released a huge amount of ₹43.40 crore into their budget. CSK also let go of 10 players, which means they can now build a team that would not face the same issue of imbalance as the previous year.

The auction will no doubt attract CSK's eye with a number of foreign players, yet the all-rounder from the West Indies, Jason Holder, is the one who attracts the most attention among other players as a compelling target. His participation in IPL has been sporadic since 2013, but Holder has managed to get into the best T20 cricket form quietly, which makes him a strong candidate for being bought cheaply with high chances of return.

1. Holder Is Having His Best T20I Period

Once regarded as a first-class all-rounder, Holder's white-ball career did not show such remarkable heights until now. In 2025, the 34-year-old player welcomes the T20 format with full commitment and has already played 23 T20Is for West Indies this year.

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His stats are impressive: 31 scalps at an average of 22.61 and an economy of 8.60, along with a drastic increase in the batting department, almost 20 runs per innings, with a 149+ strike rate. In a field where the current form often plays a bigger part than the reputation, this revival makes Holder a very proper option for the changing squad of CSK.

2. Much-Needed Bowling Versatility for CSK

The main problem that CSK faced in the previous season was their pace attack's lack of diversity. While Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj did an excellent job as new-ball bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana's main role was to bowl at the death. This often led CSK to use spinners in the non-favourable match-up phases.

With Holder, they step up the game. The West Indian bowler has had a good year in T20Is, bowling in the different phases effectively:

• Powerplay: 34 overs, 12 wickets, avg 25.20
• Middle overs: 18 overs, 3 wickets, econ 8.50
• Death overs: 29.3 overs, 16 wickets, avg 15.40, econ 8.34

This rare efficiency of three phases is exactly what CSK needed.

3. A Non-Negotiable Role After the Exit of Jadeja and Curran

CSK's need is urgent for a reliable lower-order all-rounder after the departures of Jadeja and Curran, with the all-rounder options becoming fewer due to retirements or the non-availability of Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, and Moeen Ali. Cameron Green may be the headline name at the auction, but Holder is likely to have exceptional value and experience at a lower price.

The upcoming mini auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is just a couple of weeks away. Several batters have shown their caliber with the bat and ball in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26, as the former Indian batter, Aakash Chopra, picks Karthik Sharma to be the most expensive uncapped player.

The Rajasthan wicket-keeper batter, Karthik Sharma, has overall smashed 298 runs in nine innings of the T20s at an average of 33.11 and a strike rate of 165.55, with the help of two half-centuries at the best score of 58. In the ongoing SMAT 2025/26, he drilled 97 runs in three innings at 32.33.

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“The batting has been overhauled because Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, and Deepak Hooda have been released. Hooda has set the stage on fire for Rajasthan. However, will the team look back on him? I am not sure. Although it seems they don’t need batting considering the form of the top six, I feel they need batting because they have also released Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.” Chopra expressed in his YouTube video.

Aakash Chopra predicts Rajasthan’s Karthik Sharma to be most expensive uncapped player

Along with Chopra, the former Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, also lauded Karthik’s wicket-keeping and batting skills. Chopra reckoned that there could be a bidding war for the 19-year-old between the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders.

“I feel they will shop for batters. There is a boy named Kartik Sharma. He hits a lot of sixes. He can go to Kolkata as well, as he is a wicketkeeper-batter, and he can also come here. He won’t keep. He is a Rajasthan boy. He might be the highest-paid uncapped player in this auction. He might go to them. There is a strong possibility.” Chopra shed light in his video.

“He is young and baggage-free. He is a power hitter in the middle order. You can say that you can bank on his talent. It is easier to bat there, but for a youngster to come in and create impact in the middle order in T20 cricket is not easy.” Ashwin said in the YouTube video.

Just a few days after the retirement of the premier all-rounder, Andre Russell, from the IPL along with Faf du Plessis, who moved on from the league to feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 along with Moeen Ali, another star member of the event, Glenn Maxwell, decided to take the same route ahead of the mini auction of the 2026 season’s Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Glenn Maxwell has been a long-time servant in the IPL thanks to his 2819runs in 135 innings at an average of 23.88 and a strike rate of 155.14 with the help of 18 half-centuries at the best score of 95. His best season during the competition came in 2014 when he smashed 552 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 187.75 with four fifties.

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In the last couple of editions of the IPL, the right-handed batter collected only 100 runs in 15 innings at an average of around 6.50 and a strike rate of 109, with the best score of 30. His form has fallen out massively in the last couple of seasons.

Glenn Maxwell decides to refuse to enter his name in IPL 2026 mini auction

Maxwell, who was part of the Punjab Kings, was dropped from the squad as their head coach, Ricky Ponting, informed that, looking at their squad, there was no way Maxwell would have been made into their starting eleven, which was why they decided to release the all-rounder ahead of the new season.

“I love Glenn and what he brings to the game. Unfortunately, last season we weren’t able to get the best out of him. Looking ahead to next season, we didn’t feel he would be part of our starting team, so we decided to release him.” Head coach Ponting expressed during an interaction on Star Sports.

The auction register lists exactly 1355 players with leading international names from England, Australia, and South Africa filling the 13-page Excel sheet. Post the retentions, the deadline for that was November 15, the 10 IPL franchises have IPL 237.55 crore collectively to get their players.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan penned an emotional message for Andre Russell after the West Indian all-rounder announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. Released ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Russell brought the curtains down on a legendary 12-year stint with KKR, but confirmed he will continue with the franchise as their new “Power Coach” for the upcoming season.

Russell, who first appeared in the IPL for Delhi Daredevils in 2012, became the heartbeat of KKR after joining the franchise in 2014. From match-winning cameos to game-turning spells, he built a legacy in the ‘purple and gold’, winning the Most Valuable Player award twice, in 2015 and 2019. Across 140 IPL matches, Russell amassed 2,651 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 174.18 and picked up 123 wickets, making him one of the league’s greatest all-rounders.

From IPL retirement to power coach: Russell’s next chapter with KKR

Shah Rukh Khan, reacting to the retirement announcement, shared a heartfelt note on X. “Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Our Knight in shining armour! Your contribution to KKR is one for the books… The power coach – passing down the wisdom, the muscle and of course the power to our boys in purple and gold. And yes, any other jersey would look weird on you, my man. Muscle Russell for life!” he wrote.

Despite a tough 2025 campaign, Russell remained one of KKR’s biggest match-winners and is their second-highest run-scorer as well as second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. His exit leaves a significant void, but KKR enter the 2026 auction with the largest purse of ₹64.30 crore, offering them flexibility to rebuild.

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Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Our Knight in shining armour!!! Your contribution to @KKRiders is one for the books… and here’s to another chapter in your fantastic journey as a sportsman… The power coach - passing down the wisdom, the muscle and of course the… https://t.co/P9l6gBwoXR

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 30, 2025

Beyond cricket, Shah Rukh Khan also made waves on Sunday with the launch of the new D’YAVOL X eyewear collection, a brand he manages with his son Aryan Khan. In a cinematic promotional clip, SRK unveiled the handcrafted Japanese-made sunglasses, a line Aryan said his father had long encouraged him to create.

As Russell begins a new chapter in the KKR family and SRK continues expanding his creative ventures, the Knight Riders camp prepares for a crucial 2026 season, one that starts with both nostalgia and fresh beginnings.

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis has decided not to participate in the auction for the IPL 2026, which has been scheduled on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Here we can know the reason for his absence from the upcoming IPL edition after participating in the tournament for more than a decade. 

Faf du Plessis was recently released by the IPL team Delhi Capitals, where he joined the last season and scored 202 runs in nine games. The former CSK and RCB star could be an important target for the upcoming mini auction for the IPL 2026, but the former Proteas captain has decided not to participate in the forthcoming auction. 

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It's a big decision: Faf du Plessis on not participating in IPL 2026 auction

While the IPL 2026 has been scheduled between March 15 and May 31, the Pakistan Super League 2026 will run between April and May, where eight teams will participate in the contest. While the IPL 2026 and PSL 2026 will run in a similar time period, Faf du Plessis has chosen the PSL.

On his social media post, Faf wrote, "After 14 seasons in the IPL, I've decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It's a big decision, and one that comes with a lot of gratitude when I look back. This league has been a massive part of my journey. I've been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else. India has given me friendships, lessons, and memories that have shaped me as a cricketer and as a person."

The 42-year-old Faf du Plessis scored 4773 runs in 154 IPL matches with an average of 35.09 and a strike rate of 135.78, including 39 half-centuries. He is the third leading IPL run-scorer among foreign cricketers. 

You'll see me again: Faf du Plessis to India

Faf has also confirmed that this isn’t goodbye for him to the IPL, as he will return to India in the future. He is now excited for the upcoming PSL season in Pakistan, while he previously experienced six PSL matches.

Faf added in his statement, "Fourteen years is a long time, and I'm proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isn't goodbye - you'll see me again. This year, I've chosen to take on a new challenge and will be playing in the upcoming PSL season. It's an exciting step for me - a chance to experience something new, to grow as a player, and to embrace a league filled with incredible talent and energy. A new country. A new environment. A new challenge. I'm looking forward to the Pakistan hospitality."

Talented opening batter Prithvi Shaw faced a new low after going unsold in the previous IPL auction. He had a difficult season with the Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2024 and was released, even though he was one of their top retentions after the 2021 season.

Since then, the explosive batter has been working hard to make a strong comeback. To his credit, he is on the right path. His performances are making headlines again, instead of controversies or mistakes.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are one of the teams preparing for a major rebuild in the mega auction. After releasing players like Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the team clearly needs a new opener on their list.

On that note, let us look at three reasons why KKR should sign Prithvi Shaw at the IPL 2026 Auction.

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1. KKR Need an Aggressive Opener

KKR had great success when they used aggressive openers like Phil Salt and Sunil Narine in their 2024 title run. But Narine is not in the same form now, and players like Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz also failed to deliver. So, KKR must look for a fresh modern-day opener in the auction.

Ajinkya Rahane and Narine had decent strike rates in the powerplay, but they are not long-term options, nor do they match the firepower seen in other teams.

KKR have a big purse, but they also have many other key slots to fill. So choosing a strong but budget-friendly opener makes sense.

Prithvi Shaw, despite ups and downs, remains a powerful attacking batter who can take on any bowling attack. His IPL powerplay strike rate is 146.62, which rises to 150.34 outside it. In T20s in 2024, he scored at a strike rate of 153.39.

With support and confidence from the franchise, Shaw can easily become one of the most explosive openers in the league.

2. Prithvi Shaw Is Showing Strong Signs of a Comeback

Shaw has been in good form after moving to Maharashtra in domestic cricket. He bounced back strongly after a tough 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

He started his Ranji season with a brilliant double century against Chandigarh. Midway through the season, he has an average of 67.15 and a strike rate of 92.33.

Shaw also carried this form into white-ball cricket, scoring a quick 36-ball 66 as captain against Hyderabad.

After a long gap, Shaw finally looks confident, settled, and free from off-field distractions. This is the perfect time for a team like KKR to invest in his second rise because his talent has never been in doubt.

3. Nayar and Rahane Can Bring the Best Out of Him

For Shaw’s comeback story to work, he needs the right environment. KKR offer exactly that with coach Abhishek Nayar and captain Ajinkya Rahane.

Nayar has a strong record of rebuilding players mentally and technically. He played a huge role in reviving Dinesh Karthik’s and KL Rahul’s T20 careers.

Rahane is highly respected in Mumbai cricket and has seen Shaw grow from his early days. He has even guided Shaw in tough moments, as recalled by former fielding coach R. Sridhar.

Playing under Rahane’s leadership and Nayar’s mentorship will give Shaw discipline, focus, and the support needed to prove himself again.

Uttarakhand captain Kunal Chandela is the new shining name in Indian domestic cricket, as the franchises will surely think about the player ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. 

Kunal Chandela starts SMAT 2025-26 with 88 and 94 runs

In the first two matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, Uttarakhand skipper Kunal Chandela scored 88 and 94 runs. In their tournament opener, while they suffered a five-wicket defeat on a last-ball thriller against Karnataka, the right-handed batter Kunal scored 88 off 49 balls with seven fours and five sixes. He came to bat while Uttarakhand were struggling at 32/3 and led the team to the challenging total of 197/5. 

In their second game of the tournament against Saurashtra, while the opponents scored 183/7 in 20 overs, Uttarakhand were once again struggling at 10/2 when the skipper Kunal Chandela and Aanjaneya Suryavanshi strongly guided them to victory. While Aanjaneya scored 73 not out off 41 balls with seven fours and four sixes, captain Kunal scored 94 off 54 balls with nine fours and six sixes, as they won by six wickets after successfully chasing the target in 18.1 overs. 

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Who is Kunal Chandela?

The 31-year-old Kunal Chandela made his debut in Indian professional domestic cricket for Delhi. He has been serving for Uttarakhand since 2021. He has scored 722 runs in 28 T20 matches with an average of 30.08 and a strike rate of 135.96, including four half-centuries. 

Before the ongoing SMAT season, Kunal caught the limelight in the Uttarakhand Premier League T20 2025, where he finished as the leading run-scorer with 455 runs in seven matches with an average of 75.83 and a strike rate of 177.04, as he won the Player of the Tournament award. In that tournament, he played some incredible knocks of 126, 83, 87, and 101 not out in four straight innings.  

In their last game of this Ranji Trophy season, Kunal scored 116 runs against Gujarat. While he is in dream form with the bat, we won’t be shocked if he become a surprise pick in the upcoming auction for the IPL 2026.