IPL 2026 Auction: Why Overseas Players Can't Get More Than Rs 18 Crore In Mini Auction? BCCI's Rule Explained

The IPL 2026 is all set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. A total of 1355 cricketers from around the world have registered themselves including 293 overseas players. The mini-auction is expected to witness the intense bidding war between multiple franchises to secure the services of big overseas stars like Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.

As per a report in ESPN Cricinfo, a total of 43 overseas and two Indian players will enter the IPL 2026 auction with the maximum base price category of Rs 2 crore. Apart from the big Australian stars like Green, Matthew Short and Steve Smith, the auction will also see the major names like Jamie Smith and Jonny Bairstow of England, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway of New Zealand going under the hammer.

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The players list includes overseas cricketers from 14 countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, England, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Scotland and the USA. There is even an entry from Malaysia. All the 10 franchises collectively have Rs 237.55 crore to spend in the IPL 2026 mini auction.

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As of now, Australia's senior pacer Mitchell Starc holds the record of being the most expensive player in the IPL mini auction. He was signed for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024. Notably, the three-time champions KKR will enter the IPL 2026 auction with a purse for Rs 64.30 crore, and they are again set to make some big money signings after retaining only 12 players ahead of the auction.

Why the overseas players will not be able to get more than Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2026 auction?

Interestingly, any overseas player will not be able to pocket more than Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2026 auction due to the rule introduced by the BCCI.

As per the new rule, the maximum fee for any overseas player in the upcoming mini auction cannot exceed Rs 18 crore, and this will apply even if the bid is higher than this number. Notably, Rs 18 crore was the highest slab for franchises retaining players ahead of the 2025 mega auction, and that’s why no overseas player can get a free of more than Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2026 auction.

If the bidding for any overseas player between the franchises goes beyong Rs 18 crore, then the additional money (any amount over Rs 18 crore), will be used by the BCC for player welfare. However, this ruled will not be applicable on the Indian players and they will get the actual bid money from the auction.