IPL 2026 Mock Auction: With the IPL 2026 mini-auction just around the corner, the buzz is already building and Ravichandran Ashwin has added fuel to the fire with a fascinating mock auction on his YouTube channel. Held ahead of the real auction scheduled for December 16 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, the mock exercise gave fans a glimpse of how wild the bidding could get when franchises go hunting for match-winners.
This year’s auction pool features 359 shortlisted players, but only 77 slots are up for grabs. With all 10 teams involved, competition is expected to be intense and if Ashwin’s mock auction is any indication, some big names could trigger bidding wars.
Cameron Green steals the show
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest draw in the mock auction. Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for a whopping Rs 21 crore after a fierce bidding battle with Kolkata Knight Riders. Both teams are clearly on the lookout for a high-impact all-rounder, and Green fits that bill perfectly. Given his versatility and experience, it wouldn’t be surprising if a similar tug-of-war unfolds in the actual auction.
KKR go big on all-rounders
KKR were among the most aggressive teams in the mock setup. After missing out on Green, they went all-in for England’s Liam Livingstone, securing him for Rs 18.5 crore. They didn’t stop there either, adding Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 17.5 crore. The strategy was clear, load up on power, flexibility, and players who can influence games in multiple ways.
Familiar names, fresh hopes
One of the more heartening moments came when Prithvi Shaw finally found a buyer. Unsold in last year’s mega auction, Shaw was picked up by KKR for Rs 5.25 crore, sparking hopes of an IPL comeback. It’s a reminder that form may dip, but talent still carries weight at the auction table.
Ravi Bishnoi also attracted strong interest, with Sunrisers Hyderabad spending Rs 10.5 crore on the Indian leg-spinner. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, landed Sri Lanka speedster Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 7 crore, a move that could strengthen their death bowling significantly.
Surprise snubs and unsold stars
Not everything went as expected. Veterans like Steve Smith and Devon Conway surprisingly went unsold, while Jake Fraser-McGurk also failed to attract bids. These omissions underline how team balance, recent form, and role-specific needs can outweigh reputation on auction day.
List of Players Sold in Mock Auction
| Player Name | Status | Price (Rs Crore) | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Green | Sold | 21.00 | Chennai |
| Liam Livingstone | Sold | 18.50 | Kolkata |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Sold | 17.50 | Kolkata |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Sold | 10.50 | Hyderabad |
| Jason Holder | Sold | 9.00 | Lucknow |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Sold | 7.00 | Delhi |
| Prithvi Shaw | Sold | 5.25 | Kolkata |
| David Miller | Sold | 4.50 | Punjab |
| Ben Duckett | Sold | 4.00 | Kolkata |
| Jonny Bairstow | Sold | 3.75 | Kolkata |
| Jamie Smith | Sold | 3.75 | Delhi |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Sold | 3.50 | Bengaluru |
| Rahul Chahar | Sold | 3.25 | Rajasthan |
| Akash Deep | Sold | 3.25 | Chennai |
| Anrich Nortje | Sold | 3.00 | Hyderabad |
| Tim Seifert | Sold | 3.00 | Delhi |
| Aaqib Nabi | Sold | 3.00 | Delhi |
| Rachin Ravindra | Sold | 2.25 | Punjab |
| Josh Inglis | Sold | 2.00 | Chennai |
| Akeal Hosein | Sold | 2.00 | Chennai |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Sold | 2.00 | Lucknow |
| Abhinav Manohar | Sold | 1.75 | Lucknow |
| Steve Smith | Unsold | — | — |
| Devon Conway | Unsold | — | — |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | Unsold | — | — |
