IPL 2026 Mini Auction: All Teams Potential Target List

IPL 2026 Mini Auction Overview

The IPL 2026 Mini Auction, scheduled for December 16, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, will be all about smart, role-based signings rather than headline-grabbing mega deals. With limited slots available and purse pressure on several franchises, teams are expected to focus on specific needs such as middle-order batters, death bowlers, wicketkeepers and utility all-rounders.

With 77 total slots available and a combined purse of ₹237.55 crore, the auction could still produce intense bidding wars for a handful of high-impact players.

Below is the team-wise IPL 2026 Mini Auction potential target list, based on squad gaps, purse availability and overseas quota.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹64.30 Cr | Slots: 13 | Overseas Slots: 6

KKR enter the auction with the biggest purse and maximum flexibility. Expect them to be aggressive, especially for multi-skill overseas players and Indian middle-order batters.

Likely Targets: Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Quinton de Kock, Jamie Smith, Jonny Bairstow, Matheesha Pathirana, Matt Henry, Kartik Sharma, Tushar Raheja.

Strategy: Rebuild top order depth, add a quality wicketkeeper and secure an overseas fast bowler.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹43.40 Cr | Slots: 9 | Overseas Slots: 4

CSK will look for experience and versatility, staying true to their philosophy of role clarity.

Likely Targets: Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, Liam Livingstone, Jason Holder, Michael Bracewell, Mustafizur Rahman, Prashant Veer, Sunny Sandhu.

Strategy: Strengthen all-round depth and secure a dependable overseas seamer.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹25.50 Cr | Slots: 10 | Overseas Slots: 2

SRH are expected to focus mainly on Indian players, especially bowlers and middle-order options.

Likely Targets: Akash Deep, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Mahipal Lomror, Kartik Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Ashok Sharma.

Strategy: Add Indian depth to support an already settled overseas core.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹22.95 Cr | Slots: 6 | Overseas Slots: 4

LSG still have room to add overseas firepower, especially in pace bowling and finishing roles.

Likely Targets: Anrich Nortje, Alzarri Joseph, Wiaan Mulder, Deepak Hooda, Abhinav Manohar, Vignesh Puthur.

Strategy: Target express pace and a reliable Indian middle-order batter.

Delhi Capitals (DC) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹21.80 Cr | Slots: 8 | Overseas Slots: 5

Delhi Capitals are expected to be active in the overseas market, especially for bowlers.

Likely Targets: Quinton de Kock, Pathum Nissanka, Jamie Smith, Matt Henry, Mustafizur Rahman, Matt Henry.

Strategy: Improve top-order consistency and strengthen death bowling.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹16.40 Cr | Slots: 8 | Overseas Slots: 2

RCB’s priority will be bowling stability, especially away from home conditions.

Likely Targets: Jacob Duffy, Mustafizur Rahman, Wiaan Mulder, David Miller. Umesh Yadav, Sushant Mishra, Ashok Sharma, Karthik Sharma, Mayank Agarawal, Shivam Mavi, Sarfaraz Khan,

Strategy: Add reliable fast-bowling options and an Indian batting backup.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹16.05 Cr | Slots: 9 | Overseas Slots: 1

With only one overseas slot left, RR will mainly target Indian domestic talent.

Likely Targets: Ravi Bishnoi, Rahul Chahar, Vignesh Puthur, Sarfaraz Khan, Kartik Sharma, Salman Nizar.

Strategy: Strengthen spin attack and add Indian batting depth.

Gujarat Titans (GT) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹12.90 Cr | Slots: 5 | Overseas Slots: 4

GT may go for budget overseas signings to complement their settled Indian core.

Likely Targets: David Miller, Liam Livingstone, Kusal Mendis, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Henry, Anrich Nortje, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy.

Strategy: Add finishing power and fast-bowling backups.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹11.50 Cr | Slots: 4 | Overseas Slots: 2

PBKS will likely focus on specific upgrades rather than multiple buys.

Likely Targets: Shai Hope, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Henry, Anrich Nortje, Rahul Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Vignesh Puthur.

Strategy: Improve bowling depth and add a dependable overseas batter.

Mumbai Indians (MI) – Potential Targets

Purse: ₹2.75 Cr | Slots: 5 | Overseas Slots: 1

With the smallest purse, MI are expected to hunt for value picks.

Likely Targets: Jonny Bairstow, Kusal Mendis, Jamie Smith, Tim Seifert.

Strategy: Secure a budget wicketkeeper-batter and domestic backups.

Players Expected to Be in High Demand at IPL 2026 Mini Auction

• Cameron Green
• Liam Livingstone
• Jonny Bairstow
• Matheesha Pathirana
• Anrich Nortje
• Quinton de Kock

Final Thoughts

The IPL 2026 Mini Auction may not have the scale of a mega auction, but it could prove decisive. Teams with bigger purses like KKR and CSK could reshape their squads, while others will rely on smart scouting and budget buys to gain an edge.

Several teams have already reshaped their squads after the IPL 2026 Retention List.