IPL 2026 Auction: Top five overseas players expected to be in high demand, with franchises aiming to build strong squads.
The mini-auction for the 2026 IPL season is set to get underway in Abu Dhabi on December 16. While five-time champions Mumbai Indians head into the auction with a modest purse of INR 2.75 crore, franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (INR 64.30 crore) and Chennai Super Kings (INR 43.40 crore) have significant rebuilding to do. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have fewer gaps to address, albeit with smaller purses.
One of the biggest attractions of any IPL auction is the overseas contingent, with franchises allowed to purchase a maximum of 31 overseas players at this year’s event. In this article, we take a look at the foreign stars likely to be in high demand and among the most sought-after names at the auction.
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Cameron Green
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is already the major talking point heading into the IPL 2026 mini-auction. After missing IPL 2025 due to injury, a fully fit Green has entered the auction and could emerge as the most sought-after player.
With several franchises having gaps to fill, all-rounders are expected to be in high demand, placing Green firmly in the thick of things. Given the lack of world-class options in the auction pool, Cameron Green’s all-round versatility with bat, ball, and in the field becomes even more valuable.
In the 29 matches he has played across two seasons for Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Green has scored 707 runs at a strike rate of 153.69 and picked up 16 wickets. He gives teams flexibility in the batting order and can bowl in the middle-overs. So, teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be eyeing his services. While Punjab has a vacancy for an all-rounder slot, it is obvious that CSK or KKR will be the frontrunners to acquire his services, given their bulky purse.
Jamie Smith
England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has registered for the IPL auction for the first time and is expected to attract interest. His ability to take the attack to bowlers in the powerplay, as seen in international cricket, allows him to score at a brisk pace and adds to his appeal.
Smith boasts a career T20 strike rate of 144.31 across 82 appearances, a profile that could strengthen several batting line-ups. Franchises such as Delhi Capitals, who currently lack an overseas top-order batter, could look at Smith, while the same applies to Kolkata Knight Riders following the release of Quinton de Kock.
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Jake Fraser-McGurk
Delhi Capitals invested heavily in young Australia batter Jake Fraser-McGurk over the past two seasons, but a lacklustre IPL 2025 saw him score just 55 runs across six innings. As a result, the franchise released him ahead of the auction, and he is now expected to attract interest from several teams.
Kolkata Knight Riders could be one such franchise. Having released a number of players, including top-order batters, KKR will enter the auction with a bulky purse and may look to bring Fraser-McGurk into their line-up for IPL 2026. Chennai Super Kings are another possible suitor. Historically, CSK have enjoyed success with overseas batters at the top of the order, and that proven formula could prompt them to take a chance on a player of Fraser-McGurk’s profile.
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Matheesha Pathirana
Not long ago, Matheesha Pathirana was CSK’s premier pacer. However, his returns dipped last season, finishing with 13 wickets at an economy rate over 10, prompting the franchise to release him ahead of the auction. That said, CSK could consider bringing him back at a significantly lower price than his previous INR 13-crore price tag.
In all likelihood, they may face stiff competition from the Knight Riders. KKR will enter the auction with a sizeable purse and they struggled last season due to the absence of a genuine frontline pacer. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could also join the bidding, having released a few fast bowlers and currently seeking a reliable partner for Mohammed Shami.
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Quinton De Kock
Quinton de Kock could emerge as a dark horse at this IPL auction, potentially triggering a bidding war. Since returning to the Proteas setup, de Kock has been in splendid form, a factor that should significantly boost his value.
An IPL veteran, the left-hander was released by KKR after a modest return of 152 runs in eight innings. However, the franchise could reconsider that decision in light of his current form and the need to strengthen their batting line-up.
Beyond KKR, two of de Kock’s former franchises, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, could also be interested. Delhi have a clear void at the top of the order, while Lucknow are similarly in need of stability in their opening combination.
Other overseas players likely to attract interest at the auction include Jonny Bairstow, Anrich Nortje, and Liam Livingstone.
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While Jonny Bairstow is no longer playing international cricket, he has been trying his hand in various leagues across the world. The former England batter has found success in the IPL, having scored a couple of centuries, and most recently featured for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 as a replacement player. Given the purses and the limited options available, he could still attract a few bids at this auction.
In any IPL auction, overseas pacers tend to be in demand, and this year should be no different. One player who could attract interest from multiple franchises is South Africa quick Anrich Nortje.
Lastly, England’s Liam Livingstone could be another player who might trigger a bidding war, considering the options he brings as a cricketer. A utility player by nature, Livingstone could see teams with bigger purses, such as KKR and CSK, getting involved in a fierce contest for him.
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