Cameron Green Shatters Record as Costliest Overseas Player in IPL Auction History

The IPL 2026 mini auction opened with high drama as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the costliest overseas player in the league’s auction history. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured Green for a staggering ₹25.20 crore, triggering excitement and setting a new benchmark on the opening day of the auction.

The bidding for Green saw an intense battle between KKR and Rajasthan Royals, with Chennai Super Kings later entering the fray to raise the stakes further. KKR eventually emerged victorious, surpassing the previous overseas record held by Mitchell Starc, who was bought by the franchise for ₹24.75 crore at the IPL 2024 auction.

Despite the headline-grabbing figure, Green will earn ₹18 crore for the season due to the IPL’s “maximum-fee” rule for overseas players. As per auction regulations, any amount above the highest retention slab is directed to the BCCI’s player development programme, ensuring parity between domestic and foreign players.

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Green, who has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, brings proven all-round credentials to KKR. In 29 IPL matches, he has scored 707 runs and claimed 16 wickets, making him a valuable asset with both bat and ball in T20 cricket.

The auction also saw several notable names go unsold in the first set, including Devon Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan. In contrast, David Miller was picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the mini auction.

Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan’s failure to attract bids raised eyebrows, especially given their recent domestic performances. However, with more sets to follow, franchises remain hopeful of uncovering value picks as teams fine-tune their squads for the upcoming IPL season.

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