The IPL 2026 auction took place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green made history by becoming the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. He was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹25.20 crore. The IPL’s’maximum fee’ regulation for overseas players means Green will only receive ₹18 crore.
Matheesha Pathirana, a Sri Lankan fast bowler, was the second most expensive buy in the IPL 2026 auction. He was traded to KKR for ₹18 crores. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) purchased two uncapped Indian players, Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, for ₹14.2 crore apiece, surprising many. Kartik and Prashant now share the record for the most expensive uncapped players in the IPL auction.
While some famous players received lucrative contracts and some new cricketers received far more than expected, a few well-known individuals were sold at their base price. In this feature, we look at the top five steals from the IPL 2026 auction.
1. Quinton de Kock
Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock emerged as the biggest steal in the IPL 2026 auction after being sold at his base price of ₹1 crore to take part for the Mumbai Indians. The left-armer backtracked on his ODI retirement in September and has answered that call-up to South Africa’s white-ball setup well.
De Kock was named Player of the Series after scoring 239 runs in three ODIs in Pakistan. He followed it up with a century against India in Visakhapatnam and a blistering 90 off 46 balls in the second T20I at Mullanpur. A proven IPL performer, de Kock’s experience, form, and explosiveness make him a massive value addition for MI at such a modest price.
2. Wanindu Hasaranga
Lucknow Super Giants purchased Sri Lanka’s leading bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga for ₹2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction. The leg-spinner was let go by Rajasthan Royals after having a fairly subdued IPL 2025 which saw him take 11 wickets in 11 outings at an economy rate of 9.04.
Even so Hasaranga is still a tried and tested T20 match-winner. Over 37 matches in his IPL career, he has snared 46 wickets at an average of 24.32 and an economy rate of 8.41. LSG have purchased a player who can win games for them with ball as well bat on his base price.
3. David Miller
It was also yet another IPL auction with experienced South African batsman David Miller being sold at the base price. Unsold on the first day, there were no takers for him on the second either before Delhi Capitals swooped down to pick up the left-hander at his base price ₹2 crore after being released by LSG following a tally of just 153 runs from 11 innings in IPL 2025.
Some people think Miller is over the hill, but as a 36 year old he showed more than enough flashes of that finishing ability to believe otherwise. His hard-hitting and ability to handle pressure could come in handy for Delhi, particularly in the lower middle order.
4. Rachin Ravindra
In-form New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for his base price of ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. Following solid progress on the international stage, Ravindra debuted in the IPL for CSK in 2024 and was retained ahead of season two, though he was then released after an uneventful 2025.
Ravindra has been inconsistent in his IPL returns so far but is a high-upside prospect. A meat-and-potatoes batsman and useful left-arm spinner, he does have the raw materials to be morphed into a T20 asset in the right environment.
5. Ben Duckett
English opener Ben Duckett is all set to play his first ever IPL game after he was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore in the 2026 auction. Although he is yet to make his case in white-ball cricket, Duckett has a T20I strike rate of 153.64 from 20 appearances for England which shows that he likes to hit the ground running at the top.
A lover of taking on bowlers in any format, Duckett therefore looks custom-built for T20 cricket. Moreover, while the IPL has previously trialled overseas specialists, Duckett’s experience across multiple competitions should help him adapt quickly to such a role. As a result, expect him to enjoy a big first IPL experience.
