The IPL 2026 auction delivered a dramatic highlight as Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder, made history by becoming the priciest overseas player ever purchased in the league. Kolkata Knight Riders secured Green for a staggering 25.2 crore rupees (approximately £2.1 million), setting a new benchmark. This intense bidding war saw KKR competing fiercely against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, ultimately outbidding them. Green’s price surpassed the previous record held by Mitchell Starc, whom KKR bought for 24.75 crore rupees (around £2.3 million) at the 2024 auction. This achievement places Green as the third most expensive player in IPL history overall.
Leading the record books is India’s Rishabh Pant, who was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for a hefty 27 crore rupees (£2.54 million) during the 2025 auction. Just earlier that day, Shreyas Iyer, another prominent Indian batter, was acquired by Punjab Kings for 26.75 crore rupees (£2.51 million), making the auction quite a spectacle.
At 26 years old, Green has previously played for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he amassed 707 runs with an impressive strike rate exceeding 150, along with taking 16 wickets across 29 matches. Interestingly, although he was officially classified as a capped batter in this auction, Green clarified that he will be available to play as an all-rounder, citing an administrative mix-up as the reason for his listing under the batting category.
Green’s career has faced hurdles, notably with recurring back injuries that caused him to miss the 2025 IPL season following surgery. He made a comeback earlier this year as a specialized batter in June but is now being utilized as an all-rounder by Australia, especially in the ongoing Ashes series against England.
The auction is still ongoing, with 18 English players on the longlist. Among them, opener Ben Duckett is set to debut in the IPL after being bought by Delhi Capitals for 2 crore rupees (£167,000). However, some notable players like Liam Livingstone, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, and Jamie Smith went unsold, sparking discussions about talent valuation and team strategies.
And this is the part most people might miss—Green’s record-breaking bid not only reflects his rising star power but also highlights how the IPL continues to evolve into a truly global talent showcase. Do you think Green’s big price tag will translate into on-field success, or is this just another example of the league’s high-stakes bidding wars? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
