IPL 2026 Mini-Auction: Teams Strategize

In the TATA IPL 2026 mini-auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought Cameron Green for ₹30.5 crore.

Experts think Green should bat at number 3.

KKR also got Matheesha Pathirana for ₹13 crore to help with their bowling.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought Sarfaraz Khan for ₹7 crore because he is in great form.

The auction has a rule that no overseas player can be bought for more than ₹18 crore.

There are 369 players shortlisted for the auction, and teams have different numbers of slots to fill.

Some players like Pathum Nissanka and Jordan Cox could be surprise picks.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is looking for a backup for Josh Hazlewood and might consider players like Anrich Nortje, Matt Henry, or Gerald Coetzee.

They also need a spinner and might look at Kumar Karthikeya.

RCB has a budget of ₹16.4 crore and might also consider Venkatesh Iyer if he is available at a lower price.