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The buildup to the IPL 2026 mini auction has intensified after the BCCI confirmed a staggering 1,355 players had registered for the event ahead of the November 30 deadline. The auction, scheduled for December 16 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, features one of the largest preliminary lists in IPL history.
Among the most notable entries is Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who headlines the overseas contingent. In contrast, fellow Australian star Glenn Maxwell has opted out, sparking debate about the end of an era for one of the IPL’s most dynamic entertainers.
Despite the huge registration pool, only 77 slots are up for grabs across the 10 franchises, including 31 overseas positions, meaning the list will undergo a significant reduction once teams submit their wishlists by December 5.
Cameron Green leads ₹2 crore base-price group; franchises eye aggressive bidding
After skipping the previous mega auction due to a back injury, Cameron Green has entered the 2026 pool at the highest base price of ₹2 crore. With teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hunting for a pace-bowling all-rounder, Green is already being tipped as a potential record-breaking buy.
The stacked ₹2 crore bracket includes several big-ticket names such as Liam Livingstone, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Matheesha Pathirana, Josh Inglis, Mustafizur Rahman and Steve Smith, making it one of the most competitive high-value groups in recent auctions.
Given Green’s youth, three-dimensional skill set, and match-winning potential, he is widely expected to be the biggest overseas attraction in the auction.
Glenn Maxwell’s absence fuels retirement speculation
In sharp contrast, Glenn Maxwell’s name is missing from the registration list after Punjab Kings (PBKS) released him following a difficult, injury-riddled 2025 season. The 37-year-old managed only 48 runs and four wickets before a fractured finger cut his campaign short.
Multiple reports indicate that Maxwell chose not to register for IPL 2026, effectively ruling himself out of the season. His absence has renewed speculation that his IPL career may be over, especially given his age, form, and increasing focus on other T20 leagues worldwide.
Maxwell’s decision marks a major shift for a player once regarded as one of the IPL’s most explosive all-rounders, raising questions about whether fans have seen the last of him in the tournament.
Big-name absentees alter dynamics of 2026 auction pool
Maxwell is not the only high-profile name missing from the 2026 auction. Andre Russell, one of T20 cricket’s most iconic power-hitters, has officially retired from the IPL and joined KKR’s support staff as a power-hitting coach.
Meanwhile, experienced internationals Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali have confirmed that they will prioritize the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2026, opting out of IPL participation entirely.
These absences open the door for younger all-round options – particularly Green and fast-rising stars like Matheesha Pathirana – to command premium bids.
Also READ: IPL 2026 auction date and venue confirmed; players’ bidding to be a day-long event
Franchises prepare for final auction pool as purse battles loom
Collectively, the 10 IPL teams have ₹237.55 crore remaining ahead of the auction. KKR enter with the largest purse at ₹64.30 crore, followed closely by CSK with ₹43.40 crore, positioning both as front-runners to chase marquee names in the ₹2 crore bracket.
Once teams submit their condensed wishlists, the IPL will trim the 1,355-player list into the final auction pool. Franchises will then focus on filling key gaps created by pre-auction releases and retentions, setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding contest in Abu Dhabi.
