IPL 2026 mini-auction: Australia all-rounder Cameron Green acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 25.20 crore On Tuesday, the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders acquired Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who was anticipated to be the biggest billing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction, living up to the hype. In a fierce bidding battle that broke out at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the 26-year-old began the auction at a base price of INR 2 crore and ultimately received 12 times more money. Days before the sale, Green acknowledged that his management had made a clerical error when he entered the auction as a hitter.
Mitchell Starc, who was purchased for INR 24.75 crore in the auction prior to the 2024 tournament, was surpassed as the most expensive player in the IPL when Green was acquired at over INR 25 crore. After Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, he is the third most costly player overall.
Coincidentally, Green had the highest number of offers for a player (117), surpassing Shreyas Iyer's previous record of 103.
The Mumbai Indians, who entered the auction with a bankroll of slightly more than INR 2 crore, started the bidding for Green. Rajasthan Royals made the next bid, and Kolkata Knight Riders soon followed and created an impression.
The Royals and KKR were in a fierce bidding war, and neither team was giving up. But as soon as KKR submitted a proposal of INR 13.60 crore, the Royals decided to withdraw. The three-time champions were expected to sign the all-rounder, but CSK told them to wait.
The five-time winners, CSK and KKR, then engaged in a bidding war in an attempt to outbid one another. The bid amount surpassed the desired INR 18 crore threshold in a matter of minutes. Ultimately, the all-rounder was acquired by KKR for an astounding INR 25.20 crore.
Despite earning INR crore, why would Green only receive INR 18 crore?
Green received a bid of INR crore, however the IPL governing council's official regulations state that he will only receive INR 18 crore. Even if the bid exceeds this specific amount, the organizers have previously agreed that foreign players will get a maximum of INR 18 crore.
The BCCI implemented the cap prior to last year's IPL auction, and it was later extended to the mini-auction as well. The pay cap of INR 18 crore maintains a constant maximum level for abroad salaries and is in line with the highest retention slab from the previous mega auction.
The BCCI's player welfare fund would now receive the remaining sum after INR 18 crore. Nevertheless, the franchise will have to use its own funds to cover the entire bid price. It is important to note that only gamers from other countries are subject to this restriction.
Green has previously participated in the competition with the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He has scored 707 runs in 29 IPL games, with a top of 100 not out. He has also taken 16 wickets with the ball.
David Miller was previously acquired by the Delhi Capitals at a base fee of INR 2 crore.
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