IPL fans are counting down the days until December 16. The mega auction date has been finalised. Abu Dhabi will host the IPL 2026 auction where all ten teams fight for players. The remaining purse of IPL teams 2026 varies wildly after the retention phase ended recently.
Every franchise handed its retention lists to BCCI before the November 15 deadline. Some IPL franchises kept their stars while others let big names walk away freely. The saved money each team has will decide who they can buy next month.
KKR Sits on Biggest War Chest
Kolkata Knight Riders made bold moves by releasing two of their expensive players recently. They let go of Venkatesh Iyer who was earning Rs. 23.75 crore per season. Andre Russell also left the team despite his Rs. 12 crore price tag earlier.
These releases gave KKR the fattest wallet among all franchises for the 2026 auction day. Their remaining purse now stands at a massive Rs. 64.30 crore to spend freely. Chennai Super Kings come second with Rs. 43.40 crore sitting in their hands right now.
Mumbai Indians find themselves in a tight spot with only Rs. 2.75 crore left. The five-time champions will need to be super smart with their remaining money. Other franchises have different amounts ready to splash on players they desperately want.
- Kolkata Knight Riders – ₹ 64.3 CR
- Chennai Super Kings – ₹ 43.4 CR
- Sunrisers Hyderabad – ₹ 25.5 CR
- Lucknow Super Giants – ₹ 22.95 CR
- Delhi Capitals – ₹ 21.8 CR
- Rajasthan Royals – ₹ 16.05 CR
- Royal Challengers Bangalore – ₹ 16.4 CR
- Gujarat Titans – ₹ 12.9 CR
- Punjab Kings – ₹ 11.5 CR
- Mumbai Indians – ₹ 2.75 CR
Big Auction Day Promises Fireworks
The total remaining purse across all IPL teams adds up to Rs. 237.55 crore. 77 empty player slots need filling across the ten franchises combined. Franchises’ 2026 strategies differ based on how much money they’ve got in hand.
Rich franchises like KKR will probably go crazy bidding for top players aggressively. They can afford to fight hard for any player they set eyes on. Poor franchises will play it safe and look for bargain deals instead.
Young cricketers are hoping some team picks them up and changes their lives forever. Experienced players want one last big contract before hanging up their boots soon. The IPL 2026 auction will be wild with surprises waiting at every corner surely.
Teams with fat purses can rebuild their entire squad from scratch if needed. The saved money decides whether franchises go for established stars or take punts. December 16 can’t come soon enough for cricket lovers across India and beyond.
