HIGHLIGHTS | IPL 2026 auction - Meet top 5 most expensive foreign players

The IPL 2026 mini auction concluded at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with franchises spending big to secure impact overseas players for the upcoming season. From a pool of 369 players, including 115 overseas cricketers, teams were competing for just 77 available slots, leading to intense bidding for proven international match-winners. As expected, all-rounders, fast bowlers and top-order batters with strong T20 records attracted major interest. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green finished as the most expensive overseas buy of the auction, underlining the premium placed on experience and versatility. Here are the five most expensive overseas players from the IPL 2026 mini auction.

Top 5 overseas players in IPL 2026 auction

Cameron Green Photograph: (AFP)

1. Cameron Green (Australia): Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest overseas buy of the IPL 2026 mini auction, with KKR securing his services for INR 25.2 crore. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a key addition to Kolkata’s title ambitions.

Matheesha Pathirana Photograph: (AFP)

2. Matheesha Pathirana: A fierce bidding war erupted for Matheesha Pathirana as Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants pushed the price past INR 10 crore, with KKR entering late to shake things up. In the end, Kolkata Knight Riders outbid everyone to sign the Sri Lankan pacer for a massive INR 18 crore.

Liam Livingstone Photograph: (AFP)

3. Liam Livingstone: Liam Livingstone sparked a fierce bidding war in the IPL 2026 mini auction, with KKR, SRH, Gujarat Titans, and LSG all in the mix. The price quickly escalated past INR 12 crore, with SRH finally securing him for INR 13 crore.

Mustafizur Rahman Photograph: (AFP)

4. Mustafizur Rahman: Mustafizur Rahman triggered a fierce three-way bidding war as DC and CSK were soon joined by KKR, with the price soaring rapidly past the base. After CSK eventually bowed out, Kolkata Knight Riders snapped up the Bangladeshi left-arm seamer for INR 9.2 crore.

Josh Inglis Photograph: (AFP)

5. Josh Inglis: Josh Inglis went to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 8.6 crore after a fierce bidding war with SRH in the accelerated round. Despite being available for just four games, LSG secured him, completing their squad for IPL 2026.