Following the electrifying auction in Bengaluru, the dust has settled, and the ten franchises have finalized their squads for the 2026 season. While Rishabh Pant’s record-breaking move to Delhi Capitals stole the headlines, several other storylines emerged from the bidding floor.
Here is a roundup of the key news and major developments from the IPL 2026 Auction:
1. The “20-Crore Club” Expands
The 2026 auction will be remembered for its aggression. Alongside Pant (₹20.50 Cr), two international all-rounders breached the ₹18 Crore mark.
- Cameron Green returned to the auction pool and was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹18.75 Cr, bolstering their middle order.
- Rashid Khan, in a shock release and rebuy, was reclaimed by Gujarat Titans, but it cost them a massive ₹19.00 Cr after a fierce bidding war with Mumbai Indians.
2. Rookie Sensations
Franchises continued to invest heavily in scouting.
- Sameer Rizvi, the young power-hitter, triggered a bidding war between CSK and Punjab Kings. He eventually went to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹9.40 Cr, a massive jump from his base price.
- Under-19 standout Arshin Kulkarni found a new home with Rajasthan Royals for ₹5.25 Cr, viewed as a long-term investment for the team.
3. The Shocking “Unsold” List
As always, the auction threw up some surprises with big names finding no takers in the first round.
- Steve Smith (Australia): Went unsold, likely due to his high base price and teams prioritizing explosive T20 specialists.
- Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): Found no buyers initially, raising questions about his future in the league.
- Note: These players may still be picked up in the accelerated auction round or as replacement signings later.
4. Tactical Shifts
- Mumbai Indians (MI) focused heavily on their bowling attack, spending 60% of their purse on fast bowlers to support Jasprit Bumrah.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) went for a “spin-to-win” strategy, acquiring two mystery spinners from the domestic circuit to exploit the Eden Gardens track.
5. Fan Reactions
Social media has been buzzing with reactions.
- Delhi Capitals fans are ecstatic about Pant’s “homecoming” (despite him being there previously, the re-signing feels like a fresh start).
- CSK fans are praising the management for securing a balanced squad without depleting their entire purse, maintaining the “Thala” Dhoni philosophy of smart buys.