Sunday, December 21

Sports

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Top 5 Most Expensive Overseas Players
Sports

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Top 5 Most Expensive Overseas Players

The IPL 2026 mini auction saw franchises spend heavily to secure the best overseas talent. Out of 369 players in the auction, 115 were foreign, and 77 of them found a place in various squads. All-rounders, fast bowlers, and top-order T20 specialists were the most sought-after. Here’s a look at the top 5 most expensive overseas players of the IPL 2026 auction. 1. Cameron Green – ₹25.2 Crore (KKR, Australia) The Australian all-rounder emerged as the most expensive overseas player in IPL 2026, bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping ₹25.2 crore. Green’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a rare asset. Known for his aggressive batting and pace bowling, he is expected to stabilize KKR’s middle order and provide crucial breakthroughs in the bowling department. ...
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Major Shake-Up as Teams Strategically Reinforce Squads – Full Player List Revealed
Sports

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Major Shake-Up as Teams Strategically Reinforce Squads – Full Player List Revealed

The IPL 2026 mini auction, though “mini” in name, brought about a major reshuffle across nearly every franchise except Mumbai Indians. With 8–12 vacant slots in most teams, franchises seized the opportunity to correct previous auction mistakes and strengthen their squads for the 19th season of the Indian Premier League. From backing fast bowlers to securing top-order batsmen, every team played its strategy carefully. Here’s a detailed look at each franchise’s squad following the IPL 2026 auction. Mumbai Indians PlayerRoleAmount PaidJasprit BumrahBowler₹18.00 croreHardik PandyaAll-rounder₹16.35 croreSuryakumar YadavBatter₹16.35 croreRohit SharmaBatter₹16.30 croreTrent BoultBowler₹12.50 croreDeepak ChaharBowler₹9.25 croreTilak VarmaAll-rounder₹8.00 croreNaman DhirAll-rounder₹5.25 crore...
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Record-Breaking Bids Announce the Arrival of the 19th Season in Grand Style
Sports

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Record-Breaking Bids Announce the Arrival of the 19th Season in Grand Style

The first official trumpet call of the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) echoed across the cricketing world on Monday with the conclusion of the IPL 2026 mini auction. Though termed a “mini” auction, the event once again lived up to its reputation of delivering blockbuster deals, record-breaking bids, and life-changing moments for players. Team purses may have been limited, but barring Mumbai Indians, franchises showed remarkable intent and big-hearted spending. Several bids crossed unprecedented heights, ensuring that the stories from this auction will be discussed for years to come. The biggest talking point, however, was the meteoric rise of two teenagers—Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma—who rewrote the record books at just 19 and 20 years of age. Here is a look at the...
Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma and Three Others: IPL 2026 Auction Creates Five Most Expensive Uncapped Crorepatis Overnight
Sports

Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma and Three Others: IPL 2026 Auction Creates Five Most Expensive Uncapped Crorepatis Overnight

New Delhi:The IPL 2026 mini auction proved to be a landmark moment for India’s uncapped cricketing talent, as franchises showed unprecedented faith in young domestic performers. While international stars once again attracted hefty bids, it was the uncapped Indian players who truly stole the spotlight, shattering previous auction records and turning dreams into reality in a matter of minutes. With franchises increasingly focused on building a strong Indian core for the future, several players with a base price as low as ₹30 lakh walked away with life-changing contracts. Two of them even created history by becoming the joint most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. Here is a look at the five costliest uncapped players from the IPL 2026 auction: Prashant Veer – ₹14.20 crore (Chen...
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Five Big Names That Went Unsold, Including a Four-Time Champion
Sports

IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Five Big Names That Went Unsold, Including a Four-Time Champion

New Delhi:The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction concluded with franchises spending heavily on their preferred stars, making it a night of record deals and surprise outcomes. Australia’s Cameron Green emerged as the biggest buy of the auction, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing his services for a massive ₹25.20 crore. However, alongside the big-money signings, the auction also delivered some unexpected snubs. Several well-known and accomplished players failed to attract any bids and remained unsold. Here are five prominent names who went unpicked at the IPL 2026 mini auction: Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)Explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk surprisingly went unsold despite his aggressive reputation. Entering the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, McGurk has...
The Ashes: Usman Khawaja Omitted, Cummins and Lyon Return for Third Test
Sports

The Ashes: Usman Khawaja Omitted, Cummins and Lyon Return for Third Test

Adelaide: Australia has announced its playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series against England, scheduled to begin on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. Notably, Usman Khawaja has been left out, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon make their return to the side. Khawaja Omitted Despite Fitness Khawaja, who turns 39 this week, has been a key figure in Australia’s batting lineup. He missed batting in the second innings of the first Test due to a back issue and was unavailable for the second Test. Despite being fully fit now, he has been excluded from the playing XI, raising concerns about his Test career prospects. Cummins and Lyon Back Australia’s captain Pat Cummins returns after missing the first two Tests due to injury. Nathan Lyon also rejoins the team; he was rested fo...
Mallika Sagar to Lead IPL 2026 Auction: A Journey from Fine Arts to Cricket’s Biggest Stage
Sports

Mallika Sagar to Lead IPL 2026 Auction: A Journey from Fine Arts to Cricket’s Biggest Stage

Abu Dhabi: As the IPL 2026 player auction is set to begin in Abu Dhabi, all eyes will be on Mallika Sagar, who will once again take charge as the auctioneer. Known for her expertise in both fine arts and sports auctions, Sagar has become a central figure in orchestrating high-profile sports auctions in India. A Historic and Trailblazing Career Born in Mumbai in 1975, Mallika Sagar has built a career bridging two worlds—fine art and major sports events auctions. Growing up in a business-oriented family, her fascination with auctions was sparked by a book featuring a female auctioneer as the protagonist. This inspiration set her on a path that few in India had ventured before. Sagar pursued her education from Mumbai to Connecticut, later earning a degree in Art History from Bryn Maw...
Sixes in a Row Before the Hammer Falls: Tim Seifert’s Blistering Century Ignites IPL 2026 Auction Buzz
Sports

Sixes in a Row Before the Hammer Falls: Tim Seifert’s Blistering Century Ignites IPL 2026 Auction Buzz

Brisbane: Just hours before the IPL 2026 auction, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert has sent a powerful reminder to franchises around the world with a breathtaking century in the Big Bash League (BBL)—an innings that could significantly inflate his value at the auction table. Playing for Melbourne Renegades against Brisbane Heat, Seifert unleashed a brutal assault on the bowlers, smashing 102 runs off just 56 balls, studded with 9 fours and 6 towering sixes. His knock completely transformed the complexion of the match and has instantly made him one of the most talked-about overseas players ahead of the auction. A Statement Knock on the Big Stage Opening the innings at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium, Seifert dominated from the outset. Of the team’s first 66 runs, he scored 44 ...
IPL 2026 Auction: Forgotten Till 29, Now Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals Take Notice — Will Auqib Nabi’s Fortune Finally Turn?
Sports

IPL 2026 Auction: Forgotten Till 29, Now Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals Take Notice — Will Auqib Nabi’s Fortune Finally Turn?

New Delhi: As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, most of the spotlight remains firmly fixed on marquee international names such as Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone and Venkatesh Iyer. Yet, every IPL auction has its own breakout Indian story—and this year, that story could well belong to Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi. At 29, Nabi’s journey has been one of persistence and patience. Despite entering domestic cricket in 2018 and repeatedly registering for the IPL auction, he has so far gone unsold. But consistent performances across formats and growing interest from franchises suggest that his long wait may finally be coming to an end. Dominant Performances Across Formats Auqib Nabi has been in outstanding form in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. In the Ranji Trophy...
IPL 2026 Auction: Who Has the Biggest Purse, How Many Players Each Team Needs — A Complete Guide
Sports

IPL 2026 Auction: Who Has the Biggest Purse, How Many Players Each Team Needs — A Complete Guide

New Delhi: The stage is set for the IPL 2026 mini auction, which will take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, beginning at 2:30 PM IST. With team strategies finalised and limited purses in play, franchises are preparing for a tightly contested auction that could shape the course of the upcoming season. A total of 369 players will go under the hammer, including several high-profile names such as Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, and Liam Livingstone. However, with only 77 slots available across all teams, competition is expected to be fierce. 369 Players Shortlisted for the Auction Originally, 1,390 players registered for the IPL 2026 auction. From this pool, 350 players were initially shortlisted. Just ahead of the auction, 19 more players were added, taking the f...