IPL 2026 Squad Analysis: Full Team Lists & Top Auction Buys (Post-Auction Report)
The gavel has fallen in Abu Dhabi, and the IPL 2026 Squad lists are finally locked. The Mini Auction on December 16, 2025, turned out to be more explosive than anyone predicted, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shattering records to sign Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.
If you are looking for the updated team lists for Dream11 planning or just want to know if RCB finally has a bowling attack, you are in the right place. Here is our detailed breakdown of the IPL 2026 Squad updates and the biggest financial shocks of the year.
The Headline: KKR Breaks the Bank
The biggest story of the auction was KKR’s aggressive bidding. Entering with the largest purse (₹64.3 Crore), they outbid everyone to secure Cameron Green for a massive ₹25.20 Crore. This move makes KKR the team to beat in 2026, pairing Green with their retained core of Rinku Singh and Andre Russell.
Top 5 Buys at IPL 2026 Auction
It wasn’t just Green who cashed in. Fast bowlers were in high demand this year as teams looked to exploit the two-bouncer rule. Here are the most expensive signings:
| Player | Team | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Green | KKR | ₹25.20 Cr |
| Matheesha Pathirana | KKR | ₹18.00 Cr |
| Auqib Nabi Dar (Uncapped) | Delhi Capitals | ₹8.40 Cr |
| Venkatesh Iyer | RCB | ₹7.00 Cr |
| Josh Hazlewood | CSK | ₹12.50 Cr |
IPL 2026 Squad Analysis: The Big Three
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB entered the auction needing stability. Their biggest win was stealing Venkatesh Iyer from KKR for just ₹7 Cr. He provides the left-handed balance they desperately needed in the middle order. They also picked up English talent Jordan Cox for a steal at ₹75 Lakh.
- Strengths: Top-heavy batting (Kohli, Green, Patidar).
- Weakness: Spin department still looks thin compared to other franchises.
2. Mumbai Indians (MI)
With a tiny purse of ₹2.75 Cr, MI couldn’t do much shopping. They focused on “Moneyball” picks, signing unheralded domestic talent like Mohammad Izhar and Danish Malewar for base prices. Their season will depend entirely on their retained stars like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.
3. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Typical CSK. They waited silently and then snapped up uncapped sensations Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for ₹14.20 Cr each. The IPL 2026 Squad for CSK looks balanced and dangerous, specifically for home games at Chepauk.
The Shockers: Who Went Unsold?
In a surprising twist, several big international names failed to find a buyer. This list might change if teams need injury replacements later in the season.
- David Miller (Sold for base price only later)
- Devon Conway (Unsold)
- Kane Williamson (Unsold)
- Shardul Thakur (Traded earlier, but market value dropped)
FAQs: IPL 2026 Squad Updates
Q: Who was the most expensive player in IPL 2026?
Cameron Green was the most expensive player, sold to KKR for ₹25.20 Crore.
Q: Did Mumbai Indians buy any big players?
No. MI had a very small purse (₹2.75 Cr) and mostly bought uncapped domestic support players like Danish Malewar.
Q: What is the new Overseas Salary Cap rule?
New for 2026, overseas players cannot earn more than ₹18 Crore. Even though Green was sold for ₹25.20 Cr, he will only receive ₹18 Cr, with the rest going to the BCCI Welfare Fund.
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 Squad lineups are set. KKR looks like the “Paper Champions” with their massive spending, but CSK and RCB have made smart strategic moves. For the full official list, you can check the official IPL website.
Which team do you think has the strongest squad? Let us know in the comments below!
