The IPL mini auction delivered fireworks in Abu Dhabi, with franchises splashing big money to reshape their squads. Australia all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the undisputed winner of the day, while Matheesha Pathirana, David Miller, and a clutch of uncapped Indian talents also walked away with career-defining deals.
In total, all 10 teams filled their 77 available slots, spending a combined ₹215.45 crore (approximately USD 26 million) in a high-stakes bidding war at the Etihad Arena.
Green’s Blockbuster Move To Kolkata
Kolkata Knight Riders made the boldest statement of the auction, securing Cameron Green for ₹25.20 crore (USD 3.04 million) after an intense battle with Chennai Super Kings.
The deal made Green the most expensive overseas player in IPL auction history and the third-most expensive player overall. Renowned for his power-hitting and versatility, the Australian has scored 964 runs in 63 T20 matches, including 707 IPL runs across two seasons at a strike rate of 153.70, with an unbeaten century to his name.
Pathirana Creates History For Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was another major beneficiary of the auction, as Kolkata snapped him up for ₹18 crore (USD 2.17 million). The price tag made Pathirana the highest-paid Sri Lankan player in IPL history, underlining his growing reputation as one of the most feared death-over specialists in the format.
Uncapped Indians Cash In Big
Chennai Super Kings went all in on youth, splurging ₹14.20 crore (USD 1.71 million) each on Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, making them the most expensive uncapped Indian players ever bought at an IPL auction.
The aggressive bidding reflected franchises’ increasing willingness to invest heavily in domestic talent with long-term potential.
Gujarat Titans Focus On Balance And Value
Gujarat Titans opted for smart, targeted additions, strengthening their squad with West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder, emerging pacer Ashok Sharma, and England wicketkeeper-batter Tom Banton.
They further rounded out their squad with England left-arm quick Luke Wood and Indian seamer Prithvi Raj Yarra, completing a balanced 25-member roster.
Securing Jason Holder for ₹7 crore (USD 845,000) was a real win for us. Given his current form, experience, and ability to impact games with both bat and ball, we felt it represented outstanding value. Our acquisitions of Tom Banton and Luke Wood are also rooted in their extensive experience across the T20 franchise landscape.
Delhi Capitals Blend Experience With Promise
Delhi Capitals kicked off the auction by landing South African veteran David Miller for ₹2 crore (USD 240,000), making him the first player sold. England’s aggressive top-order batter Ben Duckett followed, joining the Capitals for the same amount ₹2 crore (USD 240,000) ahead of his maiden IPL season.
One of the fiercest bidding wars of the day was for uncapped Indian all-rounder Auqib Nabi Dar, who was eventually signed for ₹8.40 crore (USD 1.01 million). The 29-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir has impressed on the domestic circuit, picking up 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate under eight in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
We went in with a clear plan and were able to secure most of the players we had identified. Experienced overseas batters like David Miller and Ben Duckett strengthened key areas, while we also invested in the future with young talent. Auqib is a very promising bowler who has shown great consistency. Overall, we believe we’ve built a strong, well-balanced squad. If we play as a unit and show courage on the field, we have a very good chance this season.
KKR Double Down On Star Power
Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders were among the most aggressive teams, landing marquee names Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana, and Mustafizur Rahman.
They also bolstered depth by adding Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and bringing back familiar faces Tim Seifert and Rahul Tripathi, signaling a clear intent to challenge strongly in the upcoming season.
RCB Strengthen Depth Ahead Of Title Defence
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru made eight notable additions, headlined by Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, signed for ₹7 crore (USD 845,000). New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy joined for ₹2 crore (USD 240,000).
RCB also secured left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.2 crore (USD 627,000), making him the fourth-highest-priced uncapped Indian of the auction. English wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox added further firepower, signing for ₹75 lakh (USD 90,000).
