5 Star Players Who Went for a Bargain at IPL 2026 Auction, Franchises Hit Jackpot

The IPL 2026 mini-auction, held on 16 December in Abu Dhabi, saw franchises splurging on uncapped players. While many players earned big, a few star names went for surprisingly low prices, giving the franchises a massive bargain. Here’s a look at five players who were snapped up at their base prices:

1. David Miller – Delhi Capitals (₹2 crore)
South African star David Miller was picked by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore, his base price. Miller has played 141 IPL matches, scoring 3,077 runs, making him a seasoned T20 campaigner at a bargain price.

2. Ben Duckett – Delhi Capitals (₹2 crore)
England’s explosive opener Ben Duckett was also bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore, exactly his base price. Duckett has scored 527 runs in 20 T20 matches for England, making him a powerful addition to Delhi’s top order.

3. Sarfaraz Khan – Chennai Super Kings (₹75 lakh)
Domestic run-machine Sarfaraz Khan went unsold in the first round but was later picked by Chennai Super Kings for his base price of ₹75 lakh. A consistent scorer in domestic cricket, he could be a valuable asset for CSK.

4. Quinton de Kock – Mumbai Indians (₹1 crore)
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was bought by Mumbai Indians for just ₹1 crore, his base price. De Kock adds experience and firepower to Mumbai’s batting lineup.

5. Aakash Deep – Kolkata Knight Riders (₹1 crore)
Indian fast bowler Aakash Deep was snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹1 crore, matching his base price. Known for his pace and potential, Deep could prove to be a key player for KKR.

This mini-auction demonstrates that franchises can still secure high-caliber talent without breaking the bank, highlighting smart strategies in building balanced teams for IPL 2026.