Top News

IPL Auction Overview

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16 showcased a mix of significant acquisitions and unexpected omissions as teams bolstered their rosters for the upcoming season. Franchises engaged in high-stakes bidding, resulting in notable transactions and some players remaining unsold.

Key Purchases by Sunrisers Hyderabad

Among the standout deals, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for a whopping Rs 13 crore. Livingstone, with extensive T20 experience, has amassed 7,496 runs in 330 T20 matches, averaging 28.18 and boasting a strike rate of 144.93, including two centuries and 39 fifties, alongside 143 wickets at an average of just over 25. In T20 internationals for England, he has scored 955 runs in 60 matches at an average of 25.13 and a strike rate of 148.98, featuring one century and two fifties, plus 43 wickets.

In the IPL, Livingstone has tallied 1,051 runs across 49 matches for teams like Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with a strike rate exceeding 158 and seven half-centuries, while also claiming 13 wickets. Despite being part of RCB's championship-winning squad last season, he managed only 112 runs in eight matches. His recent performances include a strong showing in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix, where he scored 241 runs at an average of 40.16 and took seven wickets, and an impressive Vitality Blast for Lancashire, where he amassed 260 runs at an average of 52 and a strike rate above 176, along with six wickets.

Additional Signings by SRH

Continuing their recruitment, Sunrisers Hyderabad also acquired Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis for Rs 8.6 crore and young all-rounder Jack Edwards for Rs 3 crore. They further added pacer Shivam Mavi for Rs 75 lakh, who is looking to rejuvenate his career following injury challenges.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Acquisitions

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a strategic move by signing New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra for Rs 2 crore. Ravindra has scored 549 runs in 38 T20Is at a strike rate above 134, with three fifties, and has taken 14 wickets. He had a successful year for New Zealand, accumulating 309 runs in 13 matches at an average of 30.90 and a strike rate exceeding 150. Overall, he has 1,922 runs in 116 T20 matches and 65 wickets.

KKR also welcomed back Akash Deep to Eden Gardens for his base price of Rs 1 crore. The Bengal pacer has taken 59 wickets in 53 T20 matches at an average above 26 and is currently excelling in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with seven wickets in seven matches at an average of 24.14. However, his IPL performance has been less impressive, with only 10 wickets in 14 matches for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Chennai Super Kings' New Additions

Chennai Super Kings bolstered their squad by signing leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for Rs 5.2 crore and New Zealand pacer Matt Henry for Rs 2 crore. Henry has had a remarkable year, taking 65 international wickets in 27 matches at an average of just over 16, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy 2025. He has a total of 211 wickets in 174 T20 matches. CSK also acquired Sarfaraz Khan for Rs 75 lakh, who has scored 585 runs in 50 IPL matches and is currently in excellent form in domestic cricket.

Other Notable Signings

Punjab Kings added Australian left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis for Rs 4.4 crore, who has 220 wickets in 175 T20 matches globally, enhancing their lower-order batting options. PBKS also signed Praveen Dubey for Rs 30 lakh.

Delhi Capitals secured South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi for Rs 2 crore and young Maharashtra all-rounder Sahil Parikh for Rs 30 lakh. Rajasthan Royals picked up Aman Rao and Brijesh Sharma for Rs 30 lakh each, while Mumbai Indians signed Mayank Rawat for the same amount. Royal Challengers Bengaluru added Jordan Cox for Rs 75 lakh.

Players Who Went Unsold

Several well-known players, including Jake Fraser-McGurk, Deepak Hooda, and Spencer Johnson, did not find buyers during the auction.