IPL Auction 2026 Live : It’s auction day, December 16, 2025. The Etihad Arena is buzzing with excitement as IPL Auction 2026 Live showcases the various teams’ strategies. But the Google search trends aren’t just about the players; they are about the wildly different financial power the ten franchises are bringing to the table. Follow along with IPL Auction 2026 Live coverage to see how these dynamics unfold and keep track of all the thrilling bids.
This isn’t a level playing field. Today, it’s a story of the “haves” and the “have-nots.” More people are tuning into IPL Auction 2026 Live to see which teams will top the bidding charts. As the live event progresses, expect surprises.

The 800-Pound Gorilla: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
The most searched team today is KKR, and for good reason. They are entering this mini-auction with a frankly ridiculous purse of ₹64.30 Crore. Fans are eager to see how this unfolds during IPL Auction 2026.
How did they get here? Desperation. After a disastrous IPL 2025 where they finished 8th, the KKR management, led by CEO Venky Mysore, hit the reset button. They released their 2024 title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer (again), they let go of the most expensive player in history, Mitchell Starc, and they released aggressive opener Phil Salt.
The Strategy: With 13 slots to fill (6 overseas), KKR isn’t here to participate; they are here to dominate. They have the financial muscle to outbid any other two teams combined on a single player. The internet is convinced KKR will break the all-time auction record today simply because they can.
The Pauper Prince: Mumbai Indians (MI)
At the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the five-time champion, Mumbai Indians. They are trending because fans are asking: “What can you even buy for ₹2.75 Crore?” While the IPL auction unfolds live, MI’s limited budget draws attention.
That is MI’s remaining purse—the lowest starting purse in IPL auction history.
How did they get here? Loyalty is expensive. MI retained their core “Engine Room” at massive costs: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav took up almost their entire salary cap.
The Strategy: MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene and the scouting team have their work cut out for them. They have 5 slots to fill. They won’t be bidding for superstars. will be looking for bargain-basement uncapped Indian talent and perhaps veteran overseas players willing to take a base-price cut just to play. It’s Moneyball on steroids for MI today.
The Most Wanted Man: Cameron Green
If KKR has the money, Cameron Green is the thing they want to buy. The Australian all-rounder is the hottest property on Google search today.
After missing the 2025 season due to injury, Green has registered as a “pure batter” for this auction. His ability to destroy bowling attacks in the top order makes him invaluable.
The Prediction: Analysts predict Green will easily cross the ₹20 Crore mark, with KKR, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals likely engaged in a three-way war during the IPL Auction 2026.
The “Salary Cap” Twist: A major talking point is the new BCCI rule for overseas players in mini-auctions. Even if Green is sold for ₹25 Crore, the maximum amount that can actually go into his pocket is capped at the highest retention price (approx ₹18 Crore). The surplus goes to the BCCI. This rule was brought in to stop mini-auction prices from spiraling wildly out of control compared to mega-auction salaries.
The Death Bowling Crisis: Pathirana’s Demand
IPL Auction 2026 Live Another massive search trend surrounds “Baby Malinga,” Matheesha Pathirana. His surprise release by CSK sent shockwaves through the league. In a format defined by death bowling, a young pacer with a unique, difficult-to-pick action is gold dust. Expect teams like RCB, DC, and potentially even a return bid from CSK to drive his price sky-high today amid the live auction excitement.


