IPL 2026 Auction: Top five bargain buys offering huge upside at modest prices for franchises.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auctions in Abu Dhabi saw Australia’s Cameron Green become the most expensive overseas player in the history of the league. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) acquired the all-rounder’s services for INR 25.20 crore. KKR also went ahead to sign Sri Lanka pacer, Matheesha Pathirana, for INR 18 crore.
However, fetching hefty deals doesn’t automatically translate to most valuable buys. Value comes from the requirement of the franchise and the use-case scenario of players in the eleven. Value buys may not necessarily be the first names on the team sheet, but their presence brings flexibility and balance to the team’s combination.
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Let’s take a look at the top five valuable buys at the IPL 2026 mini-auctions.
Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians) – INR 1 croreÂ
Mumbai Indians (MI) came into the auction with a stable squad. They had five slots left and bid for ten players. Among them, a steal-deal that saw them sign South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for just INR 1 crore became the highlight.
Mumbai have always loved to get their old players back into the system. De Kock is now all set to reunite with Rohit Sharma at the opening slot. Recently, the southpaw notched up a fine 90-run knock against India in New Chandigarh. He has also tasted decent success with Mumbai, headlined by two successive 500+ run seasons in 2019 and 2020. The left-hander’s presence is expected to bring more experience and flexibility into the MI squad for 2026.
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Matthew Short (Chennai Super Kings) – INR 1.5 crore
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) didn’t waste any time before raising their paddle for Australia’s Matthew Short. Franchises were expected to go after a spin-bowling all-rounder, and Short fit the bill perfectly. The 30-year-old would now be expected to play second-fiddle to Dewald Brevis at number five.
Short has notched up 382 runs in 19 T20I innings at a strike rate of 155.28. He can deliver a few overs of handy off-spin in the middle over phase. This brings a sense of balance in Chennai’s team combination, especially at a steal-deal pricing of INR 1.5 crore.
The Australia star didn’t quite hit the peak of his powers in his first and only IPL season in 2023 for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He ended the season with 117 runs in six innings. But Chennai will hope for a better version of the Victoria player in the league’s 19th edition.
Read More:Â Matheesha Pathirana goes to KKR for INR 18 crore; Have the eastern franchise made the right move?
Sarfaraz Khan (Chennai Super Kings) – INR 75 lakh
Sarfaraz Khan has been in the form of his life. In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26, he has scored 329 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 203.80. The run-scoring spree has featured three half-centuries and one century, including a 22-ball 73 against Rajasthan on the very day the auctions were scheduled. It was, therefore, shocking that he was sold at the base price of INR 75 lakh to CSK.
But his inclusion promises to be beneficial for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side. Sarfaraz’s game has improved over the years, especially against spin. Sarfaraz can be the best back-up option for Shivam Dube at number four. Moreover, he would be a solid inclusion at high-scoring grounds like Hyderabad or Bengaluru.
Akash Deep (Kolkata Knight Riders) – INR 1 crore
Akash Deep didn’t attract any interest in the first round of the IPL 2026 auctions. But later, KKR signed him at his base price of INR 1 crore. It will be a homecoming for the Bengal pacer, who has 59 wickets in 53 T20 innings at an economy rate of 8.32. Deep can swing the new ball and trouble batters at the death.
Kolkata may not use the 29-year-old as their first-choice pacer. But he can still be a decent back-up option to either Harshit Rana or Vaibhav Arora. They have already locked Matheesha Pathirana as their death over specialist. If given a chance, Deep can be a decent option at the death.
Anrich Nortje (Lucknow Super Giants) – INR 2 crore
Anrich Nortje comes with sheer pace. There was a time when the Delhi Capitals (DC) retained him over Kagiso Rabada in their squad. Nortje’s best IPL season came in 2020 when he bagged 22 wickets in 16 innings at an economy rate of 8.39. The South Africa pacer has the skill to trouble batters on any track.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) snapped him at his base price of INR 2 crore. He isn’t expected to be in the starting eleven. But, if the management wants to have a replacement for Mohammad Shami, then Nortje could be a good option at the death or for the middle overs. The only recurrent issue with the 32-year-old is his long list of injuries.
Last season, he bowled only seven overs and leaked 83 runs for one wicket. Lucknow will hope for a much improved performance from the speedster this season.
As per speculations, the 19th edition of IPL is expected to start on March 26 with the final scheduled for May 31, occupying a window similar to recent years. If sources are to be believed, the home of the defending champions, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, could host the season opener.
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