Which team has the highest amount to spend in IPL 2026 mini-auction?

Published - 16 Dec 2025, 13:46 IST | Updated - 16 Dec 2025, 14:11 IST

The upcoming edition of the IPL 2026 mini-auction is set to be an intriguing affair. The Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi is all set to host the event on Tuesday, December 16. 369 players are up for grabs in the auction. The 10 franchises will have a chance to fill up as many as 77 slots during the much-anticipated event.

It is important to note that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are entering the auction with the highest purse. They have a whopping INR 64.3 crore in their kitty.

KKR won the IPL title for the third time in 2024. However, in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, they failed to secure the services of players like Phil Salt and Mitchell Starc, who played key roles for them in their triumphant campaign in the previous season. Re-signing Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering INR 23.75 crore also seemed to be a questionable move.

The KKR side lacked balance as well as depth and newly-appointed captain Ajinkya Rahane had his task cut out. The Knights finished eighth on the points table, with many of their players failing to live up to their potential.

The three-time champions decided to go in for an overhaul ahead of IPL 2026. They released as many as nine players, including the legendary Andre Russell. The Caribbean all-rounder subsequently retired and joined the Knights' support staff as a Power Coach.

CURRENT SQUAD AND RETAINED PLAYERS: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

6 players who will go under hammer first in IPL 2026 auction

KKR are expected to try and acquire the services of star Australian all-rounder Cameron Green in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Prithvi Shaw could be another one of their prime targets. The 26-year-old went unsold at the auction last year but has shown decent form, playing for his new state side, Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Matheesha Pathirana could be one of their prime targets in the seam-bowling department.