The longlist for the IPL 2026 auction has been released, featuring a massive pool of 1355 players. The list was circulated among franchises after the registration window closed on November 30.
At the top are 45 players who have opted for the highest reserve price category of INR 2 crore, including stars like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
Key Players in Top Bracket and Limited Slots
With only 77 total spots open across all ten franchises, including 31 for overseas cricketers, teams will fine tune their choices once they submit their shortlisted names by December 5. The auction will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, setting the stage for an intense battle for talent ahead of the 2026 season.
A major focus will be on Australia’s Cameron Green, who missed last year’s mega auction due to a back injury but has returned as one of the most valuable allround options.
His contributions across batting, bowling and fielding make him one of the most anticipated players this season. KKR, armed with INR 64.3 crore, along with CSK, carrying INR 43.4 crore, are expected to push strongly for him, especially with open overseas slots available. KKR is likely to go aggressive after Andre Russell announced his retirement from the league.
Released Players, Comebacks and Notable Inclusions
Several prominent names who were released by their teams have entered the top bracket. Pathirana, previously CSK’s death overs specialist, and Livingstone, released after a difficult year with RCB, stand out among the overseas entries. Among Indians, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi have joined the INR 2 crore category after being released despite being valued highly in earlier seasons.
One of the biggest surprises in the longlist is the absence of Glenn Maxwell. The Australian star fractured his finger during the 2025 season and remains uncertain about his long term IPL availability.
Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has rejoined the auction pool despite reportedly being available for only 25 percent of the upcoming season due to personal commitments. His return is significant given his role in Punjab Kings reaching the 2025 final.
Global Talent Pool and India Born Malaysian Entry
Cricketers from 14 countries have registered, stretching from established names like Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Rachin Ravindra and Gerald Coetzee to rising stars such as Jake Fraser McGurk and Jamie Smith. Veteran allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has set his base price at INR 1 crore after featuring in 71 IPL matches across nine seasons.
Also joining the mix are 16 well known Indian players including Mayank Agarwal, KS Bharat, Rahul Chahar, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini. A unique addition this year is India born Malaysian allrounder Virandeep Singh, who has entered the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh.
With a combined purse of INR 237.55 crore available across franchises and several key squad gaps to fill, the IPL 2026 auction promises high stakes and fierce bidding wars.
Players With INR 2 Crore Base Price
Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Sean Abott, Ashton Agar, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser McGurk, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryll Mitchell, Will O Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Roussouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mateesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph