The 2026 IPL auction once again showed why, the Indian Premier League is easily the biggest T20 league on the planet. Franchises went over the top, burning holes in their pockets for players capable of playing impactful roles across various match scenarios. From global superstars to new Indian sensations, the auction witnessed franchisees loosen their purse strings in a bid to form well-balanced teams for the season ahead.
Here’s what stood out most in the Purdue University-Indiana University rematch at Mackey Arena: The aggressiveness on spending for all-rounders, wicketkeeper-batters and death-over specialists. They were roles that dominated the top end of the price chart and show how teams value the all-round versatility of players, as well as match-winning capabilities in this heady era of T20 cricket.
Without further ado, only considering official IPL 2026 auction results, here’s the list of The Top-10 Most Expensive Players in IPL 2026 as well as reasons why each of them got such huge bids.
Top 10 Most Expensive Players in IPL 2026
| Rank | Player Name | Role | Base Price | Sold Price | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Green | All-rounder | ₹2 Cr | ₹25.20 Cr | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 2 | Matheesha Pathirana | Fast Bowler | ₹2 Cr | ₹18 Cr | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 3 | Prashant Veer | All-rounder | ₹30 L | ₹14.20 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
| 4 | Kartik Sharma | Wicketkeeper-Batter | ₹30 L | ₹14.20 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
| 5 | Liam Livingstone | All-rounder | ₹2 Cr | ₹13 Cr | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 6 | Josh Inglis | Wicketkeeper-Batter | ₹2 Cr | ₹8.6 Cr | Lucknow Super Giants |
| 7 | Auqib Dar | All-rounder | ₹30 L | ₹8.4 Cr | Delhi Capitals |
| 8 | Ravi Bishnoi | Spinner | ₹2 Cr | ₹7.2 Cr | Rajasthan Royals |
| 9 | Venkatesh Iyer | All-rounder | ₹2 Cr | ₹7 Cr | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 10 | Jason Holder | All-rounder | ₹2 Cr | ₹7 Cr | Gujarat Titans |
1) Cameron Green – ₹25.20 Crore (KKR)
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the most expensive player of IPL 2026. Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for a record ₹25.20 crore, the highest price paid for an overseas player and all-rounder in IPL auction history.
Green’s price went through the roof as KKR and Chennai Super Kings got involved in a fierce bidding war. Add to that his capacity to bat up the order, bowl the military mediums and excel under pressure with both bat and ball, and he becomes a T20 package of significant value. This is also a strong signal to KKR’s plan of creating a balanced and dynamic squad around multi-talented cricketers.
2) Matheesha Pathirana – ₹18 Crore (KKR)
Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana was one of the most sought after bowlers in the auction. KKR bought him for ₹18 crore, in turn,becoming the most expensive bowler in IPL 2026.
Pathirana earned a reputation as a death-overs exponent, his underarmed and well-directed yorkers all adding to his value. His signing seems to be part of KKR’s plan to boss the crunch moments in a game.
3) Prashant Veer – ₹14.20 Crore (CSK)
The biggest surprise of the day, Prashant Veer emerged as the costliest uncapped Indian player in IPL 2026. Chennai Super Kings shelled out ₹14.20 crore for the Uttar Pradesh all-rounder, a sum 47+ times his base price.
This is a watershed purchase that reflects CSK’s faith in the domestic talent and paves the way for their future. The emergence of Prashant Veer and his rapid rise also bears testimony to the fact that IPL franchises are increasingly willing to invest in young Indian players who can make an impact on more than one front.
4) Kartik Sharma – ₹14.20 Crore (Chennai Super Kings)
Kartik Sharma, who was sold at the same price as Prashant Veer, became the joint highest-price uncapped player in the history of IPL auction. The Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter was procured by CSK for ₹14.20 crore.
Wicketkeeper-batters are a premium in T20 cricket, and Kartik Sharma’s capability to chip in with the bat aggressively while also manning the stumps is what made him such an expensive buy.
5) Liam Livingstone – ₹13 Crore (SRH)
England’s explosive all-rounder Liam Livingstone is at the fourth spot with a ₹13 crore buy out from Sunrisers Hyderabad. An aggressive hitter and someone who can also bowl some useful off-spin, Livingstone is ideally suited to the new-age T20.
SRH’s investment in Livingstone is on middle-order power hitting and bowling options too. His impact and his recent form of turning games on their head in couple of overs makes him a must-have pick.
6) Josh Inglis – ₹8.6 Crore (LSG)
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis also went to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8.6 crore as they made him their new buy. His attacking batting and customary wicket-keeping made him a very attractive proposition.
Inglis will provide batting options anywhere in the order and solidify LSG’s middle-order. He went for the jackpot, and his success at making buckets under pressure made it worth it.
7) Auqib Dar – ₹8.4 Crore (Delhi Capitals)
Dar was behind one of the most surprising moments in the auction. The all-rounder was bought for ₹8.4 crore by Delhi Capitals, an exponential rise from his base price.
Delhi’s investment inDar is an indication of the faith they have in his all-round capabilities and that he has what it takes to blossom into a key player. He will help provide both depth and balance to DC’s squad.
8) Ravi Bishnoi – ₹7.2 Crore (RR)
One of the excellent bowling purchases of IPL 2026 was made by Indian leg-spin ace Ravi Bishnoi. Rajasthan Royals bought him for ₹7.2 crore calling him a middle-overs specialist as well as wicket-taking bowler.
Good spinners are hard to come by in the IPL and Bishnoi’s performance and exposure at the highest level helped address that void in Royals’ ranks.
9) Venkatesh Iyer – ₹7 Crore (RCB)
Venkatesh Iyer emerged a hot property yet again, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed him for ₹7 crore following an intense bid off against KKR.
“Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has tried and he has the ability to score runs or take wicket,” said sources. His versatility in roles gives the RCB side flexibility.
10) Jason Holder – ₹7 Crore (GT)
West Indies’ all-rounder Jason Holder rounded off the top ten after Gujarat Titans won him for ₹7 crore. It is also very important to have over the head, bouncing bowlers when he can take the benefit of other end as well whether It is powerplay or death overs.Exactly these things make him invaluable.
And in combination with his bowling, Holder has the lower-order slogging to add further depth: That makes him another of those rare creatures, a complete T20 cricketer, and an intelligent buy for Titans.
Final Thoughts
The IPL 2026 auction, in which all teams had to re-auction their squads, changed the contours of team building and cash flows. A record deal for Cameron Green, the emergence of Indian young guns and franchises’ renewed bid to flex their muscle underline how the league continues to grow.
With the season just days away, the focus now turns to which of these top-of-the-market players can live up to their costs on game day. One thing is for sure – IPL 2026 will be full of high-on cricket, our favourite stars and unforgettable moments.
