IPL 2026 auction: 6 worst buys that raised eyebrows
IPL auctions thrive on drama and unpredictability, but every season throws up deals that leave fans and experts scratching their heads. At the IPL 2026 auction, several franchises splurged heavily on players whose roles, availability, or recent form make their price tags difficult to justify.
Here’s a closer look at the worst buys of IPL 2026, where expenditure didn’t quite match expected returns:
• Venkatesh Iyer (RCB – ₹7 crore)
Despite a massive 70% pay cut from his previous KKR contract, Royal Challengers Bengaluru still shelled out ₹7 crore for Venkatesh Iyer. The concern isn’t his talent but his utility. Iyer no longer bowls in the IPL—his last wicket came back in 2021—and his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy numbers this season have been inconsistent. With only two fifties and several low scores, fitting him into RCB’s XI remains a challenge.
• Matheesha Pathirana (KKR – ₹18 crore)
Kolkata Knight Riders went all-in on the Sri Lankan speedster despite persistent injury concerns. Pathirana’s last IPL season saw him concede over 10 runs per over, and in 2025 he played just two international matches, managing one wicket at an alarming average of 82. For ₹18 crore, availability and form remain major red flags.
• Prashant Veer & Kartik Sharma (CSK – ₹28+ crore combined)
Chennai Super Kings stunned everyone by spending over ₹28 crore on two uncapped Indian players. With CSK entering the auction with a purse of ₹43.40 crore, this gamble severely restricts flexibility. Neither player appears a guaranteed starter, and even as impact substitutes, the price looks unjustifiably steep.
• Josh Inglis (LSG – ₹8.6 crore)
Lucknow Super Giants picked Josh Inglis despite knowing he would be available for only four matches. The situation becomes more confusing given LSG already have Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran as wicketkeeping options. With overseas slots likely occupied by Mitchell Marsh, Pooran, Markram and Hasaranga or Nortje, Inglis’ chances of making the XI look slim.
• Liam Livingstone (SRH – ₹13 crore)
Sunrisers Hyderabad spent big on Livingstone, but his role remains unclear. As a likely fourth overseas option, he may be reduced to a finisher who doesn’t complete his bowling quota. Livingstone is best used as a flexible match-up player, making the ₹13 crore price tag hard to defend.
• Mustafizur Rahman (KKR – ₹9.20 crore)
KKR’s investment in Mustafizur comes with a significant caveat. Bangladesh players are subject to conditional NOCs, and with a New Zealand series scheduled during IPL 2026, his availability remains uncertain. Spending over ₹9 crore on a player who may miss crucial matches is a risky bet.