Predicting the top 5 most expensive buys of IPL 2026 Auction ft. Matheesha Pathirana

The much-awaited IPL 2026 auction is all set to be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. The BCCI had initially shortlisted 350 players for the mini-auction. However, according to reports, the final list features 359 cricketers, following the addition of nine more players.

Of the 359 players who are set to go under the hammer at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, 244 are Indian cricketers, while 115 are overseas cricketers. There are eight price brackets for the auction, with ₹2 crore being the highest and ₹30 lakh being the lowest. Forty players have registered themselves in the ₹2 crore list.

While more than 350 players have been shortlisted for the auction, a maximum of 77 slots can be filled up, with 31 of the spots being reserved for overseas cricketers. In this listicle, we predict the top five most expensive buys of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

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#5 Ravi Bishnoi

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) released leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The 25-year-old represented LSG from 2022 to 2025. Bishnoi had an impressive 2023 season, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 24.43 and an economy rate of 7.74. However, he could not replicate his performance in the subsequent two seasons. Bishnoi claimed 10 wickets in IPL 2024 and followed it up with nine wickets in IPL 2025.

While LSG releasing him wasn't surprising, Bishnoi should be in demand at the IPL 2026 auction. The spinner has reasonable amount of experience and has been in reasonable form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26. In seven matches, he has picked up nine wickets at an average of 23.11 and an economy rate of 8.72. Being a wicket-taker, Bishnoi should fetch a high price at the IPL 2026 auction.

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#4 Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer was one of the biggest disappointments of the IPL 2025 season. Having been purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping ₹23.75 crore, the left-handed batter only managed 142 runs in seven innings at an average of 20.28 and a strike rate of 139.21. He crossed the half-century mark only once, slamming 60 off 29 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Kolkata.

While Venkatesh is unlikely to match his IPL 2025 auction price, he is expected to be in demand again in the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. On his day, he can be extremely destructive with the bat and his bowling is often under-utilized. With his medium pace, he recently claimed 3-17, representing Madhya Pradesh against Jharkhand in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

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#3 Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone was another of the big disappointments of IPL 2025. Having been purchased by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹8.75 crore, the England all-rounder managed only 112 runs in eight innings at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 133.33. Livingstone scored only one half-century, although he did play a crucial cameo in the final.

Having been released by defending champions RCB, Livingstone is likely to be in big demand at the auction. While his consistency has been a question mark, the England dasher's big-hitting skills cannot be ignored. He recently slammed 82* off 38 in the ILT20. In addition to his batting skills, Livingstone is also a handy bowler and a fine fielder, which makes his a great T20 package.

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#2 Matheesha Pathirana

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) groomed young Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana after picking him in IPL 2022 as a replacement for Adam Milne. Often referred to as 'Baby Malinga' due to his slingy action, Pathirana played a key role in CSK's IPL 2023 triumph, picking up 19 wickets at an average of 19.52 and an economy rate of eight.

The fast bowler had another impressive season in 2024, claiming 13 wickets in six matches before being ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Pathirana had an underwhelming 2025 season, claiming 13 scalps at an economy rate of 10.13. The Lankan pacer, though, is one of the most promising fast bowlers on the T20 circuit and is expected to be one of the biggest draws of the IPL 2026 auction.

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#1 Cameron Green

Most cricket experts reckon that Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is likely to be the biggest buy of the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. Even in the mock auction, he was sold to KKR for a whopping ₹30.50 crore. While Green might not get such an enormous bid at the actual auction, if would be quite a surprise if he doesn't end up as the costliest player at the mini-auction on Tuesday.

Green did not feature in the IPL 2025 season as he was recovering from back surgery. Before that, he represented RCB (2024) and Mumbai Indians (2023) in the T20 league. Green clobbered 100* off 47 balls against SRH in IPL 2023, slamming eight fours and eight sixes. He is a handy medium pacer as well. Expect Green's name to start a bidding war at the IPL 2026 auction.