Spinners, all-rounders, overseas stars in demand; but can anyone get close to Rishabh Pant’s record price?
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, franchises are expected to target elite spinners, woo all-rounders and top overseas stars. But the biggest story is whether any player can come close to or surpass Rishabh Pant’s historic record as the most expensive purchase in IPL history.
The IPL 2026 mini auction is gearing up for a drama-filled session in Abu Dhabi, but the real question looms large in the bidding races: Can any player challenge the monumental Rs 27 crore record set by Rishabh Pant in the 2025 mega auction?
While the current market is very hot for all-rounders, elite Indian spinners and certain overseas stars, the answer is probably no, and for two important reasons: the nature of the mini-auction and the new BCCI salary cap for foreign talents.
The Golden Hour of Versatiles
Franchises, especially those undergoing strategic restructurings like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have glaring gaps in the all-round department. The release of Andre Russell by KKR and the trade of Ravindra Jadeja by CSK has put a premium on versatile, match-winning players.
The bidding wars will undoubtedly focus on Cameron Green, who offers a rare combination of top-level batting and genuine pace. Spin-dominant all-rounders like Wanindu Hasaranga and power batsmen who offer part-time spin like Liam Livingstone and Venkatesh Iyer are also in high demand. Notably, Green’s price is expected to cross the Rs 20 crore mark considering the utility he provides and the volume of cash held by KKR (Rs 64.3 Cr) and CSK (Rs 43.4 Cr).
Also read| With KKR losing Russell-Iyer, CSK making 11 cuts and SRH unlocking Rs 25.5 billion, which team enters the IPL 2026 auction most desperate?
Spinners Have Become the New Gold Standard
The dearth of top-tier Indian talent is most acute in the spin department. Two current biggest names grace the bidding block, where teams have not lost their core Indian pacers and batsmen: Ravi Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar.
A young leg-spinner with a proven IPL record and T20 International pedigree, Bishnoi is the highest valued Indian name. In a mini-auction where a franchise like CSK desperately needs a front-line Indian spinner after R Ashwin’s retirement, Bishnoi’s price could easily cross Rs 22 crore, rivaling the Rs 23.75 crore KKR paid for Venkatesh Iyer last season.
Overseas Border: Hurdle of Rs 27 Crore
The main obstacle preventing any player from breaking the all-time record is the new rule introduced by BCCI for mini-auctions.
The rule stipulates that the maximum salary an overseas player can receive should be capped at Rs 18 crore. This rule was introduced to prevent the astronomical bids (Rs 24.75 Cr) seen in the 2024 auction for Mitchell Starc from artificially inflating the mini-auction market.
This means that even if a desperate team like Sunrisers Hyderabad bids Rs 22 million for Cameron Green, Green himself will get only Rs 18 Million and the excess Rs 4 Million will go to BCCI’s player welfare fund. While this doesn’t stop the franchise from blowing R22 million from their purses, it overshadows the ‘record-breaking’ showing.
Looking ahead to the 2026 auction, excitement is buzzing with expectations of intense competition and a flurry of bids exceeding Rs 20 million for rising Indian stars like Bishnoi and Iyer. However, Rishabh Pant’s remarkable record of Rs 27 crore broken by an Indian player during a major auction seems to stand the test of time. The highest bid is almost certain to come from the fund of an uncapped Indian player or a recently released player.
Also read| IPL 2026 auction: Why overseas stars like Cameron Green can’t earn more than Rs 18 crore? Maximum wage rule and BCCI’s share announced
