The IPL 2026 mini-auction was not merely a display of extremely high bids and deals making headlines. To no surprise, it once again opened the door to several surprises where internationally acclaimed and dependable players were taken over for next to nothing.
As a result of team combinations, recent performance, or just auction dynamics, many renowned players went unnoticed and unclaimed, which led to the puzzled faces of fans and experts alike. Below is an analysis of five superstar players whose auction prices at the IPL 2026 auction were surprisingly low -purchases that might become very profitable.
Sarfaraz Khan (Chennai Super Kings) – Rs. 75 lakh
Sarfaraz Khan’s journey was one of the more dramatic ones. Unsold initially, he was later picked up by CSK at his base price. With his heavy domestic run-scoring and versatility in the middle order, Sarfaraz could thrive under Chennai’s experienced setup.
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Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians) – Rs. 1 crore
The decision to sell Quinton de Kock for merely Rs. 1 crore was something to be seen to be believed. The case of de Kock, a certified wicketkeeper-batter with a reputation, opened up the possibility of MI using his skills in various ways, sharing his experience, and getting off to very fast scorers at a tiny part of his normal price.
Akash Deep (Kolkata Knight Riders) – Rs. 1 crore
At a base price of Rs. 2 crore, the Indian fast bowler Akash Deep was acquired by KKR, bestowing upon them a trustworthy option in the pace department. His strictness and seam movement have made him a good choice for KKR’s bowling mix.
David Miller (Delhi Capitals) – Rs. 2 crore
David Miller’s arrival at Delhi Capitals for his base price did not go unnoticed and raised eyebrows. The left-hander from South Africa is very experienced regarding IPL, as he has scored more than 3,000 runs in 141 matches. Being a player with the ability to keep a cool head in finishing situations and a temperament for a big match, Miller at Rs. 2 crore could be one of the most intelligent purchases of the auction.
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Ben Duckett (Delhi Capitals) – Rs. 2 crore
DC has got another base-price pickup in Ben Duckett, who adds explosive intent at the top of the order. The England opener has already scored 527 runs in 20 matches, thus, has shown his ability in T20s with his remarkable performances. He is a valuable player on Indian grounds because he can often manage to dominate spinners from the start.
