The IPL 2026 mock auction, conducted by host broadcaster Star Sports ahead of the official auction in Abu Dhabi, delivered high drama and eye-catching bids on Monday. The exercise offered fans and experts a glimpse into potential team strategies, budget allocations, and player valuations for the upcoming season.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest attraction of the mock auction, fetching a staggering ₹30.50 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The franchise was represented by former India batter Robin Uthappa, whose aggressive bidding reflected Green’s growing value as a multi-dimensional player in T20 cricket.

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone registered the second-highest bid of the day, going to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹19 crore. Represented by Irfan Pathan, LSG showed strong intent to bolster their middle order and power-hitting capabilities, underlining Livingstone’s reputation as a match-winner across formats.

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK), represented by former India star Suresh Raina, surprised many with their selections. The franchise picked up South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje for ₹7.5 crore, adding express pace to their bowling unit, and secured Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan for ₹7 crore to strengthen their batting depth.

The mock auction highlighted how franchises may prioritize all-rounders and impact players in IPL 2026, with teams willing to spend heavily for proven international stars. While unofficial, the event has sparked conversations around potential bidding wars and tactical shifts ahead of the actual auction later this year.

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