Predicting the top 5 most expensive overseas buys of IPL 2026 Auction ft. Cameron Green

The IPL 2026 auction is upon us, with franchises all set to shape their final squads for yet another edition of the cash-rich league. It will be held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, December 16. While the Indian players, including uncapped players, will be in focus, the limelight will also be on some overseas stars.

The 10 franchises will battle it out to fill 77 available slots. Overseas players are expected to be in high demand, particularly with it being a mini auction where teams will look to fill gaps and further strengthen their squads.

Although big overseas names like Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf du Plessis will be absent from the IPL 2026 auction, the likes of Cameron Green, Steve Smith, David Miller, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone are among those expected to attract attention from franchises.

On that note, we predict the top five overseas stars who could attract the highest bids at the IPL 2026 auction in this article.

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#5 Quinton de Kock

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after the IPL 2025 season. They had acquired him for ₹3.6 crore, but he failed to deliver. He scored just 152 runs from eight matches at a strike rate of 129.91.

However, his recent performance against India could make a strong case for him at the auction. In the third ODI, he struck a magnificent 89-ball 106, and in the second T20I, he slammed a 46-ball 90. Therefore, with multiple teams looking for a solid and experienced wicketkeeper-batter, given his experience and being a proven player, Quinton de Kock could go for a higher price than his previous value.

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#4 David Miller

Veteran South Africa batter David Miller will be another name in the spotlight at the IPL 2026 auction. Miller was released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after being acquired for ₹7.50 crore during the 2025 mega auction. He had an underwhelming season with just 153 runs from 11 matches at a strike rate of 127.49.

However, batting at six in the recent second T20I against India, Miller made a quickfire unbeaten 20 off 12 balls that helped South Africa finish strong and eventually win the game. Despite a poor IPL last year, his reputation as a finisher could spark a bidding war. In the absence of finishers like Russell and Maxwell, teams like KKR and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have the highest purse among other teams, could splurge on Miller.

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#3 Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana was released by CSK after the 2025 season. He bagged 13 wickets but was not as effective at an average of 32.61 and an economy of 10.13. However, his ability to deliver yorkers and slingy action is likely to catch the attention of multiple teams once again.

For all we know, CSK might look to get him back at a lower price themselves. Several teams like KKR, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Gujarat Titans (GT), among others, need an overseas pacer or a backup option. Given his proven ability as a death bowler and the scarcity of quality options in the auction, Pathirana is most likely to be an expensive buy yet again.

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#2 Liam Livingstone

English all-rounder Liam Livingstone will be in demand at the IPL 2026 auction as well. He was released by RCB after the 2025 season following a mediocre performance. However, with Russell and Maxwell now out of the way, his demand automatically increases as an overseas all-rounder.

CSK are likely to go after him as a spin all-rounder who would suit their home conditions. The likes of LSG, GT, and PBKS would also eye Livingstone as a finisher in the batting and an additional bowling option. With multiple teams wanting a player with a similar profile, Livingstone could benefit from the high demand and low supply.

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#1 Cameron Green

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to be the most expensive player at the IPL 2026 auction. A pace-bowling all-rounder will have high value. KKR and CSK, the two teams with the highest purse, will get into a bidding war for Green.

He did not play the previous season due to injury, but is set to return. Having released Russell, KKR are expected to splurge a huge amount to acquire Green as his replacement. LSG are also among the teams that need an overseas fast-bowling all-rounder.

So far in the league, Green has played 29 games and has scored 707 runs at an average of 41.58 and a strike rate of 153.69. He has also bagged 16 wickets with the ball.