IPL 2026 Auction will feature only 350 players instead of 1355, with fresh names like Quinton de Kock added late.
The excitement for IPL 2026 Auction has reached a new level as the BCCI has released the final list, and the biggest surprise is that only 350 players will go under the hammer. The first list had 1,355 players, but after many discussions with franchises, the number was brought down to 350. This change has created a strong buzz among fans because the tighter pool means more intense bidding and unexpected battles between teams.
The list includes 240 Indian players and 110 overseas players, giving franchises a wide range of options. A total of 77 slots are open across all teams, and 31 of these spots are for overseas players. The auction will begin at 1 pm UAE time, which is 2.30 pm IST, on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The trimmed list also means more focus on quality over quantity, something franchises have been pushing for this year.
Among the 35 new names added late, the biggest shocker is South African star Quinton de Kock. He was not in the original list but was included later after a franchise recommendation. His return comes shortly after he reversed his international retirement and even scored a century in the ODI against India in Visakhapatnam. He now enters the auction with a base price of INR 1 crore, half of what Knight Riders paid earlier. Since his last season was not impressive, the franchise released him before this auction.
The auction will begin with capped players placed in categories like batters, all-rounders, wicketkeeper-batters, fast bowlers and spin bowlers. For example, Cameron Green will appear in the first lot of batters, along with Devon Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sarfaraz Khan, Prithvi Shaw and David Miller. Venkatesh Iyer will be in the first all-rounders lot. The auction is expected to pick up pace after Player No. 70, Afghanistan’s Wahidullah Zadran.
The BCCI told franchises that “The auction will feature 350 players and will commence at 1 pm UAE time (2.30 PM IST) on Tuesday, 16 December, at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.” After the first 70 players, the accelerated phase will start. In this phase, all players from No. 71 to 350 will be presented quickly. Teams will then share names of unsold and unpresented players for a second accelerated round.
Some new overseas players joining late include Arab Gul, Miles Hammond, Dan Lategan, George Linde, Traveen Mathew, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera, Dunith Wellalage, Akeem Auguste and more. Indian new additions include Vishnu Solanki, Jikku Bright, Madhav Bajaj, Yashraj Punja, Ayaz Khan, Rishabh Chouhan and others. Many of these uncapped players could be surprise picks as teams look for young, low-budget talent.
Complete list of IPL 2026 Player Auction 2026 – Click Here
The highest base price remains INR 2 crore, and 40 players have chosen to enter the auction in this bracket. Most players fall in the INR 30 lakh category, which includes 227 names. This year’s auction feels tighter, more organised and more competitive because the final list directly reflects what franchises actually wanted.
With the IPL 2026 Auction now just days away, teams are preparing to reshape their squads and fans are waiting to see which players will spark bidding wars. The trimmed list, new late entries and stronger planning by franchises make this one of the most strategic auctions in recent years.
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