ABU DHABI GEARS UP TO HOST ILP 2026 AUCTION TOMORROW
The majestic Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi is all set to host the 2026 Indian Premier League auction on Tuesday.
The 10 teams will be in a bidding war as they hope to grab the best international stars and Indian players that are up for grabs.
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and South African star David Miller could earn million dollars deals on Tuesday.
Green is poised to emerge as one of the standout winners, with the market heavily tilted in favour of seam-bowling all-rounders and franchises prepared to spend big to secure rare skill sets.
Early signals suggest both Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are ready to engage in a fierce bidding battle for the Australian.
A total of 77 roster spots are up for grabs across the 10 franchises. However, not all teams will be equally influential at the auction table. Mumbai Indians are expected to restrict themselves to low-cost, uncapped signings.
Green is expected to command strong interest alongside India’s Venkatesh Iyer, who has fallen out of favour at the international level, and England’s hard-hitting all-rounder Liam Livingstone — all three primed for substantial paydays.
Mini-auctions often generate more intrigue than mega auctions, with teams arriving with clearly defined needs and a willingness to push valuations beyond conventional limits for players who fit their plans precisely.
That dynamic particularly favours pace-bowling all-rounders, a scarce commodity in the league. Green, Venkatesh Iyer and West Indies veteran Jason Holder are therefore expected to dominate proceedings.
While Green’s IPL numbers are respectable rather than spectacular — 704 runs and 16 wickets from 29 matches — auctions are driven less by past returns and more by future potential. As a regular across all three formats for Australia, Green’s value in a demand-heavy market is unlikely to go unnoticed.
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar explained why South Africa's Miller could emerge as one of the most sought-after players in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking on JioStar's show 'IPL Auction Most Wanted', Bangar said Miller's proven finishing ability, vast experience in high-pressure situations and adaptability in the middle order make him an extremely valuable option for franchises looking to strengthen their batting line-ups.
He added that teams such as the Gujarat Titans and the Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to show strong interest in the left-handed batter.
Bangar noted that Miller's calm temperament and ability to close out games consistently place him among the elite finishers in T20 cricket. According to him, the South African batter could feature among the top three most expensive purchases at the auction.
"David Miller will likely be among the top three most expensive players in this auction. Several teams need a player with his finishing ability -- Gujarat Titans, for instance, would benefit from his experience, while Kolkata Knight Riders could target him too, especially with Andre Russell's retirement and a healthy purse at their disposal," Bangar said.
Former Indian cricketer MSK Prasad praised Venkatesh Iyer as a versatile and impactful player for KKR, highlighting his ability to adapt across roles -- from opening and anchoring the innings to finishing matches when needed.
Iyer has been good for KKR in earlier seasons, playing several crucial innings in high-pressure situations. Additionally, his medium-pace bowling adds depth and balance to the team. Given his familiarity with the franchise and proven ability to win matches, KKR could consider bringing him back at a more reasonable valuation.
"Venkatesh Iyer is a special talent -- a versatile left-hander who's delivered for KKR in multiple roles. He's shown the ability to open the innings, anchor the middle order, and even finish games when required, which speaks volumes about his flexibility and impact."
England’s explosive all-rounder Livingstone is also expected to draw major interest at the mini-auction, with franchises likely to push his price towards the million-dollar mark.
A destructive batter capable of changing games in a few overs, Livingstone adds further value with his useful spin bowling.
South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, meanwhile, remains another premium name, having repeatedly proven his match-winning ability at the top of the order while being among the safest wicketkeepers in the game.
Livingstone’s reputation as a fearsome hitter has only grown in recent years, highlighted by his unforgettable assault on Afghanistan star Rashid Khan — a 26-run over during a Hundred match for Birmingham Phoenix that underlined his ability to dismantle elite spin.
Several uncapped Indian players are also expected to generate interest. Prashant Veer and Mukul Choudhary are likely to find suitors, while Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan will hope their modest base price of Rs 7.5 million encourages franchises to take a calculated punt.
Among overseas fast bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana could emerge as a compelling option despite being released by Chennai Super Kings. Teams such as Lucknow Super Giants may look to bid aggressively as they seek to bolster a pace attack that has been stretched thin, even with Mohammed Shami in the squad and the injury-prone Mayank Yadav.
There are, however, question marks around Pathirana’s reworked bowling action and whether CSK would consider bringing him back into the fold.
New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy is another name to watch. Already established on the T20I circuit, Duffy has climbed the ICC rankings and earned a reputation as a reliable option in the shortest format.
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