A lot of money was thrown at uncapped Indian players in the 2026 IPL Auction, showing how aggressively franchises are betting on future potential rather than proven pedigree. At the same time, overseas stars still commanded massive price tags, proving that impact players remain non-negotiable in T20 cricket. The balance was clear: raw Indian talent for the long run, proven foreign match-winners for instant results. Here’s a look at the top 10 most expensive players of the IPL 2026 auction, where ambition, risk, and desperation collided.
1. Cameron Green – 25.2 CR
Cameron Green the most expensive foreign player in the IPL history as he’s now the part of KKR for IPL 2026 for 25.2 CR . Before the auction it was kind of obvious that he is going to be in one of the two teams between KKR and CSK as they had the biggest purse before coming in to this auction . Cam Green was traded from Mumbai Indians to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024 and played the last season in 2024 . His price in IPL 2024 was 17.5 CR . Cameron Green was not the part of IPL 2025 due to back injury .
2. Matheesha Pathirana – 18 CR
Matheesha Pathirana has now become the most expensive Srilankan player in the IPL history with 18 CR . Pathirana will be seen Purple and Yellow for KKR in IPL 2026. Pathirana will have his home ground at Eden Gardens. The Srilanker Pacer is known for his slingy action and can bowl toe-crushing yorkers and can be lethal for death overs at Eden . Pathirana was part of CSK since 2022 and got retained in 2025 for 13 CR . The pacer has 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches .
3. Kartik Sharma – 14.2 CR (Uncapped Player)
The joint- most expensive uncapped player in the IPL history with 14.2 CR , picked for Chennai Super Kings . Kartik Sharma is a keeper batsman and comes from plays for Rajasthan in the domestic seasons . Paying that amount to uncapped players is unusual from CSK . As an uncapped Indian talent, going for a record fee put him straight under the spotlight, and there’s no hiding from expectations.
4. Prashant Veer – 14.2 CR (Uncapped Player)
One of the joint-most expensive players with 14.2 CR joining the elite lit of uncapped players with this huge amount of pay. Prashant Veer is a lower middle order batsman and bowls left-arm spin. The skill set of Ravindra Jadeja and clearly dictates that he is been looked as an investment for future. Young all-rounder comes from Uttar Pradesh .
5. Liam Livingstone – 13 CR
After been unsold in the first round of the auction , Livingstone’s name came in the accelerated round and got picked for a huge amount of 13 CR . Livingstone had below par season from his standards last season with RCB but played a crucial innings in the finals to help RCB lift their first IPL trophy . Livingstone will now be playing for orange army – Sunrisers Hyderabad. Livingstone can hit big sixes and is in the team of big hitters . Livingstone can give you some handy overs as well .
6. Mustafizur Rahman -9.2 CR
Another big money buy for KKR . Mustafizur Rahman is bought for 9.2 CR in 2026 IPL Auction. Fizz played for Delhi Capitals as a replacement. The left arm pacer comes from Bangladesh. He’s a death over specialist known for his change of pace .
7. Josh Inglis – 8.6 CR
The Australian keeper batter went unsold in the first round raised eyebrows , but the late buy at 8.6 CR for Lucknow Super Giants underlined how quickly auction dynamics can flip . As per sources , Josh Inglis will only be available in the later half of the IPL season .
8. Auqib Nabi – 8.4 CR (Uncapped Player)
Auqib Nabi is someone who was used to come in auction and gets unsold , phenomenal growth in his performance from last couple of years in Domestic season . Auqib Nabi, the pacer will now play for Delhi Capitals for 8.4 CR in the 2026 IPL season . Auqib comes from Jammu and Kashmir and has been in the limelight since quite long .
9. Ravi Bishnoi – 7.2 CR
Ravi Bishnoi will now play for his hometown Rajasthan Royals for 7.2 CR in the IPL 2026 season . Ravi Bishnoi is a great deal in just 7.2 CR where RR was also surprised to buy him this cheap . Ravi Bishnoi was once the top Ranked t20i bowler in 2023 . Ravi Bishnoi will be the lead spinner for RR . The leg spinner was earlier a part of teams like LSG and Punjab Kings (earlier Kings XI Punjab ) .
10. Venkatesh Iyer – 7 CR
Venkatesh Iyer will be playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sold for 7 CR this time , a difference of 16.75 CR lesser than the last season. Venkatesh was bought for 23.75 in the 2025 IPL and has disaster of season and was realeased by KKR before the 2026 IPL Auction . Venkatesh Iyer played a crucial role in KKR’s 2024 IPL trophy triumph . RCB went till 23.5 CR for Venky in 2025’s Auction and again showed interest in him and bought him successfully this time . He’ll be under intense scrutiny this time .
