IPL Auction 2026: Cameron Green becomes costliest overseas player as KKR spend big on stars

The IPL 2026 player auction delivered big shocks, big money, and big dreams on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. The headline moment came early when Cameron Green went to Kolkata Knight Riders for a massive Rs 25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history and the third-costliest buy overall. Soon after, Matheesha Pathirana created history too, becoming the most expensive Sri Lankan player after KKR signed him for Rs 18 crore.

While KKR grabbed attention with star power, Chennai Super Kings quietly focused on the future. CSK spent heavily on youth, picking two uncapped Indian players for Rs 14.20 crore each, showing trust in raw talent. With 350 players in the pool and no marquee set, teams came with clear plans. By the end of the day, every franchise had filled key gaps. The IPL 2026 season will run from March 26 to May 31, and the auction made one thing clear, teams are already planning for the long run.

The most expensive overseas player bought at an #IPLAuction: Cameron Green 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gubEh0co0H

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 16, 2025

Cameron Green tops the chart as Chennai Super Kings back youth and Kolkata Knight Riders dominate spending

Cameron Green was the name everyone waited for. When bidding opened, Kolkata Knight Riders showed no hesitation. They went all in and sealed the deal at Rs 25.20 crore. With his strong batting, fast bowling, and calm mindset, KKR see Green as a match-winner across formats.

KKR did not stop there. They also signed Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore, breaking the record for a Sri Lankan player at the IPL auction. The franchise clearly focused on pace, power, and impact players.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings took a different path. CSK invested in young Indian talent, signing Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, both uncapped, for Rs 14.20 crore each. The move shows CSK’s belief in grooming players for the future rather than chasing only big names.

Other teams made smart picks too. Delhi Capitals signed David Miller at his base price of Rs 2 crore, adding experience to their batting. DC also spent Rs 8.40 crore on uncapped Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi, one of the surprise buys of the auction.

In the final accelerated round, several quick deals wrapped up the day. Prithvi Shaw joined Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh, while Zak Foulkes went to CSK for the same amount. Tom Banton signed with Gujarat Titans for Rs 2 crore, and Adam Milne joined Rajasthan Royals for Rs 2.4 crore.

As the auction closed, teams looked settled and fans looked excited. With stars secured and young players trusted, IPL 2026 is already shaping up to be a season full of fresh stories and big moments.