IPL 2026 Auction List Announced: 240 Indian And 110 Overseas Players Shortlisted, 40 Stars In Rs 2 Crore Bracket
IPL Franchises Set for High-Stakes Bidding as 240 Indians and 110 Overseas Players Feature
IPL 2026 Auction Confirms 350 Shortlisted Players With 40 Stars in the ₹2 Crore Bracket
The excitement for the Indian Premier League is already building as the BCCI officially announces the IPL 2026 Auction player list, featuring a total of 350 shortlisted cricketers. The auction, scheduled for December 16, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, will witness intense bidding wars, strategic calls, and a fresh auction dynamic shaped by changing team combinations. Out of the 1,390 players who initially registered for the event, only 350 have made the final cut — including 240 Indians and 110 foreign players.
This year’s auction stands out for its mix of seasoned performances, retired internationals making surprise returns to T20 cricket, and a powerful pool of uncapped domestic talent. With 77 open slots across the ten franchises and 31 spots reserved for overseas players, teams will enter the auction room with defined strategies but unpredictable outcomes.
A Deep Player Pool: Indians Lead the Line-up
The dominance of Indian representation continues with 240 domestic players shortlisted, reflecting the IPL’s focus on nurturing local cricketing talent. Among these, 224 are uncapped, signaling that franchises are likely to continue hunting for the next breakout Indian star. The success stories of players like Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and T. Natarajan — all once uncapped — have strengthened the emphasis on discovering raw potential through the auction.
Alongside them are familiar Indian names released during the retention window — experienced campaigners seeking a new team environment, as well as players who had a quiet season in 2025 but remain strong contenders thanks to their domestic performances.
On the international front, 110 overseas players make the shortlist, including marquee cricketers from Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. Surprisingly, multiple retired international stars have also entered the pool, adding curiosity and buzz around the auction.
The balanced distribution of capped, uncapped, and international talent provides franchises with a wider spectrum of roles — death-bowling specialists, powerful middle-order finishers, mystery spinners, and pace-heavy all-rounders.
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The High-Stakes ₹2 Crore Bracket: 40 Players Aim Big
The most talked-about highlight of the shortlist is the 40-player group that has opted for the highest base price — ₹2 crore. This elite category includes some of the biggest names in world cricket, seasoned power-hitters, veteran captains, and rising stars with notable performances in T20 leagues globally.
The ₹2 crore bracket is traditionally the most unpredictable. While some players attract huge bidding wars, others surprisingly go unsold due to team combinations and purse constraints. This year, however, the competition seems even more fierce as big-name all-rounders, high-quality wicketkeeper-batters, and experienced fast bowlers dominate the category. Several Australian and English stars lead this group, joined by sought-after talents from South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies.
For franchises, acquiring a ₹2 crore player means more than filling a slot — it’s a statement signing that can reshape the entire team lineup. With many teams releasing senior overseas players after IPL 2025, the auction table is expected to be highly competitive for this bracket.
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What to Expect on Auction Day
With only 77 total vacancies, franchises will need to strategize sharply. Some teams may aim to rebuild their cores, while others may only need a few role-specific additions. The presence of a strong uncapped Indian group will also encourage teams to seek budget-friendly but impactful picks.
On the other hand, the contest for elite overseas players — especially high-impact all-rounders and pace bowlers — could lead to bidding wars early in the auction.
The IPL 2026 auction promises all the drama, strategy, and surprises that have made this event one of cricket’s biggest annual spectacles. As the countdown begins, fans and franchises alike eagerly await which players will land record deals — and who will emerge as the next big IPL story.
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