IPL 2026 Auction Trimmed to 350 Names as BCCI Removes 1,005 Players from Auction List
BCCI trims IPL 2026 auction pool to 350 players, adds de Kock and new overseas names, and outlines a role based bidding plan.
The BCCI has cut the IPL 2026 auction list down to 350 players after removing more than a thousand names from the original longlist. The board said this gives teams a cleaner group to work with and keeps the focus on players who are in real demand.
Only 35 new players have been added at the last stage. These were mostly names who had not registered earlier but were later requested by teams or cleared through fresh checks.
One of the biggest additions is Quinton de Kock. The South African keeper reversed his international retirement and smashed an ODI century against India in Vizag. This pushed a franchise to request his inclusion. His base price is now Rs 1 crore, which is lower than the Rs 2 crore tag he carried in the last mega auction.
The overseas list also includes Arab Gul, Miles Hammond, Dan Lategan, Connor Eztherhuizen, George Linde, Bayanda Majola, Traveen Mathew, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera, Dunith Wellalage and Akeem Auguste. These are a mix of young hitters, all-rounders and bowlers who could tempt teams looking for budget options.
Among Indian players, Vishnu Solanki, Parikshit Valsangkar, Sadek Hussain and Izaz Sawariya are part of the new batch. Several others from domestic circuits have also made the cut.
How The Auction Will Run
The auction is set for December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It starts at 1 pm UAE time, 2:30 pm IST. In a note to teams, the BCCI said, “The auction will feature 350 players and will commence at 1 pm UAE time on Tuesday, 16 December.”
Bidding will begin with capped players. They will be grouped by role, starting with batters, then all-rounders, wicketkeeper batters, fast bowlers and spinners. The uncapped players will follow in the same order.
There will also be an accelerated phase. This round will run through players numbered 71 to 350. “Once these players have been presented, franchises will be requested to submit the names of the players, unpresented and unsold, for further accelerated presentation,” the BCCI said.
Teams are expecting a quick, busy day with a smaller pool and more clarity on targets. With de Kock back in play and several new overseas names added, the auction could have a few surprise bidding battles.
