The IPL 2026 Auction reshaped team identities across all ten franchises. Big-money buys, aggressive retentions, and smart value picks defined the two-day event. Every team entered with a clear strategy, though execution varied sharply. The final squads reveal where franchises chose stability and where they chased impact.
Several teams invested heavily in core Indian players. Others focused on overseas match-winners to balance combinations. Young uncapped names attracted record-breaking bids, changing auction dynamics again. Purse management proved decisive in the closing rounds.
IPL 2026 Auction: Team Overview Snapshot
| Team | Purse Spent | Purse Left | Squad Size | Overseas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSK | 122.60 Cr | 2.40 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| DC | 124.65 Cr | 0.35 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| GT | 123.05 Cr | 1.95 Cr | 25 | 7 |
| KKR | 124.55 Cr | 0.45 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| LSG | 120.45 Cr | 4.55 Cr | 25 | 7 |
| MI | 124.45 Cr | 0.55 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| PBKS | 121.50 Cr | 3.50 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| RR | 122.35 Cr | 2.65 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| RCB | 124.75 Cr | 0.25 Cr | 25 | 8 |
| SRH | 119.55 Cr | 5.45 Cr | 25 | 8 |
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Squad and Auction Strategy
CSK doubled down on stability with a familiar core. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson form a strong Indian batting base. The franchise spent heavily on uncapped all-rounders, signaling future planning. MS Dhoni’s presence continues to anchor leadership.
CSK Full Squad – IPL 2026
| Player | Role | Price (Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | BAT | 18.00 |
| Sanju Samson | BAT | 18.00 |
| Kartik Sharma | BAT | 14.20 |
| Prashant Veer | AR | 14.20 |
| Shivam Dube | AR | 12.00 |
| Noor Ahmad | BOWL | 10.00 |
| Rahul Chahar | BOWL | 5.20 |
| MS Dhoni | BAT | 4.00 |
| Dewald Brevis | BAT | 2.20 |
| Nathan Ellis | BOWL | 2.00 |
| (Remaining squad at base values) |
Auction Read: CSK prioritised long-term Indian depth over flashy overseas spending.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Squad and Auction Strategy
Delhi Capitals focused on balance and versatility. Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav form a strong Indian spine. The addition of Mitchell Starc boosts wicket-taking threat. Young all-rounders received notable backing.
DC Full Squad – IPL 2026
| Player | Role | Price (Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Axar Patel | AR | 16.50 |
| KL Rahul | BAT | 14.00 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | BOWL | 13.25 |
| Mitchell Starc | BOWL | 11.75 |
| Tristan Stubbs | BAT | 10.00 |
| Auqib Nabi | AR | 8.40 |
| Mukesh Kumar | BOWL | 8.00 |
| Nitish Rana | AR | 4.20 |
| (Remaining squad at lower slabs) |
Auction Read: DC invested in proven international experience alongside emerging Indian talent.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – Squad and Auction Strategy
GT continued their template of bowling dominance. Rashid Khan and Mohammed Siraj headline the attack. Jos Buttler adds explosive batting support. Their squad reflects a title-contending balance.
GT Full Squad – IPL 2026
| Player | Role | Price (Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | BOWL | 18.00 |
| Shubman Gill | BAT | 16.50 |
| Jos Buttler | BAT | 15.75 |
| Mohammed Siraj | BOWL | 12.25 |
| Kagiso Rabada | BOWL | 10.75 |
| Sai Sudharsan | BAT | 8.50 |
| Jason Holder | AR | 7.00 |
| (Others) |
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Squad and Auction Strategy
KKR made the boldest move of the auction. Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas buy. Pathirana strengthens their death bowling. The squad reflects aggression and intent.
KKR Full Squad – IPL 2026
| Player | Role | Price (Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Green | BAT | 25.20 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | BOWL | 18.00 |
| Rinku Singh | BAT | 13.00 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | BOWL | 12.00 |
| Sunil Narine | BOWL | 12.00 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | BOWL | 9.20 |
| (Others) |
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Squad and Auction Strategy
MI retained their championship core. Bumrah, Hardik, Rohit, and Suryakumar remain central. Overseas depth was added smartly without overspending. Their squad looks immediately competitive.
MI Full Squad – IPL 2026 (Key Names)
| Player | Role | Price (Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | BOWL | 18.00 |
| Hardik Pandya | AR | 16.35 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | BAT | 16.35 |
| Rohit Sharma | BAT | 16.30 |
| Trent Boult | BOWL | 12.50 |
| Deepak Chahar | BOWL | 9.25 |
Punjab Kings, RR, RCB, and SRH – Auction Patterns
Punjab Kings invested heavily in Indian stars like Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh. Rajasthan Royals built around all-rounders and bowling depth. RCB focused on batting firepower with Virat Kohli leading again. SRH assembled the most explosive top order of the auction.
Across these teams, flexibility and power-hitting were clear priorities. Bowling depth was addressed late to manage purse pressure. Several squads now look built for impact-heavy IPL seasons.
Key IPL 2026 Auction Trends
Teams trusted Indian match-winners more than ever. This reduced overseas dependency. Leadership continuity was valued strongly.
Young domestic players commanded unexpected prices. Franchises are clearly planning beyond one season. Development pipelines influenced bidding wars.
Most teams avoided stacking only marquee names. Role clarity mattered more than reputation. Bench strength improved across squads.
Final Verdict: Which Teams Look Strongest on Paper
Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans appear to be the most balanced teams. KKR carries the highest upside but also risk. CSK and DC look structured for consistency. SRH and PBKS offer explosive potential if combinations click.
The IPL 2026 Auction has created competitive parity, not clear favourites. Team execution will decide outcomes more than auction headlines.
