IPL 2026 auction purse breakdown: KKR leads ₹237 cr battle while MI left with just ₹2.75 cr
As the countdown begins for the highly anticipated IPL 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16, all 10 franchises have finalised their retention and release strategies, revealing a stark contrast in auction purse strength and squad-building opportunities.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are poised as the dominant buyers with a massive ₹64.3 crore left in their auction purse and 13 player slots to fill. The three-time champions embarked on a major squad overhaul, releasing key figures like Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, and Quinton de Kock, clearly aiming for a marquee buying spree to bolster their campaign.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), recovering from a rare bottom-place finish in the previous season, also have a strong purse of ₹43.4 crore and nine slots to reinforce their roster. Their blockbuster trade acquiring Sanju Samson in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja has indicated a clear intent to revamp their side, with fresh talent additions expected to play a central role.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) hold ₹25.5 crore with 10 slots, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have ₹22.95 crore after trading out Mohammed Shami, and Delhi Capitals (DC) come in with ₹21.8 crore and eight openings following the release of veterans like Faf du Plessis.
Other franchises like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will enter the auction with ₹16.4 crore and ₹16.05 crore, respectively, each needing to carefully navigate their eight to nine player vacancies. Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings have smaller purses of ₹12.9 crore and ₹11.5 crore, with five and four slots available.
At the bottom of the purse ladder are the Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time champions who retained much of their core squad, leaving them with just ₹2.75 crore to fill five slots. This limited budget presents a major challenge to reinforce their lineup for the upcoming season.
Here is the detailed breakdown of IPL 2026 auction purses and available player slots:
| Franchise | Auction Purse (₹ crore) | Slots Available | Key Released/Traded Players |
| KKR | 64.3 | 13 | Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock |
| CSK | 43.4 | 9 | Ravindra Jadeja (trade), Matheesha Pathirana |
| SRH | 25.5 | 10 | Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar |
| LSG | 22.95 | 6 | Mohammed Shami (trade), David Miller |
| DC | 21.8 | 8 | Faf du Plessis, Mohit Sharma |
| RCB | 16.4 | 8 | Liam Livingstone, Mayank Agarwal |
| RR | 16.05 | 9 | Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana |
| GT | 12.9 | 5 | Karim Janat, Gerald Coetzee |
| PBKS | 11.5 | 4 | Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis |
| MI | 2.75 | 5 | Lizaad Williams, Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
With ₹237.55 crore collectively up for grabs and 77 player slots to be filled, the IPL 2026 auction promises heated bidding and strategic manoeuvring. Teams with larger purses, like KKR and CSK, are expected to be aggressive players, while others might seek value buys and smart trades to remain competitive.
This upcoming auction is shaping up to be a critical juncture for franchises to balance retaining core strengths with fresh talent, setting the stage for an electrifying IPL 2026 season full of surprises and renewed rivalries.