The stage is set for a blockbuster Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi today, with franchises arriving armed with hefty purses and high expectations. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will look to rebuild with a budget of ₹43.40 crore, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hold the biggest war chest at ₹64.30 crore.
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is tipped to be the headline act, with strong speculation that he could surpass the ₹27 crore record set by Rishabh Pant last season. Several other players have boosted their stock with eye-catching performances just hours before the auction. Venkatesh Iyer sent a timely reminder of his value by smashing 70 off 43 balls while opening for Madhya Pradesh against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Punjab’s young wicketkeeper-batter Salil Arora also grabbed attention with a quickfire half-century, further intensifying interest from IPL franchises. Alongside established names like Tim Seifert, uncapped talents are expected to attract aggressive bidding. The auction will also see a wide age spectrum, with 39-year-old Jalaj Saxena set to be the oldest participant, while Afghanistan’s Wahidullah Zadran, just over 18, will be the youngest.
