The IPL 2026 mega auction was one of the most dramatic in the tournament's history. With all 10 franchises armed with significant purse allocations after the retention window, the two-day auction saw record-breaking bids, surprise acquisitions, and strategic masterclasses. Here is the complete breakdown of every team's auction outcome.
The IPL 2026 mega auction operated with a total purse of INR 120 crore per franchise — the highest ever. Each team was allowed to retain a maximum of six players from their 2025 squad before the auction, with retention costs deducted from the purse. A total of 577 players were registered for the auction, with 204 slots to be filled across 10 franchises.
The retention rules allowed franchises to keep their core intact while still having substantial funds for the open auction. Most teams retained 4-6 players, spending between INR 45-65 crore on retentions and entering the auction with INR 55-75 crore to build the rest of their squad.
The headline number: Shubman Gill was acquired by Gujarat Titans for INR 23.5 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history. The 26-year-old Indian captain's price reflected both his current form (coming off a record-breaking bilateral series against England) and his long-term value as a franchise cornerstone.
Other marquee buys that defined the auction:
Retained: Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Tim David
Key auction picks: Trent Boult (INR 10 crore), Shreyas Iyer (INR 12 crore)
Purse remaining: INR 3.2 crore
MI went all-in on rebuilding their core, pairing Bumrah with Boult for a lethal new-ball combination. The addition of Shreyas Iyer strengthens their middle order significantly.
Retained: MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Devon Conway, Deepak Chahar
Key auction picks: Sanju Samson (INR 18 crore), Wanindu Hasaranga (INR 9.5 crore)
Purse remaining: INR 4.8 crore
CSK's strategy was clear: acquire a long-term batting anchor in Samson while adding world-class spin with Hasaranga. The Dhoni-Samson keeping combination gives them flexibility in the XI.
Retained: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Mohammed Siraj, Rajat Patidar, Josh Hazlewood
Key auction picks: Ravi Bishnoi (INR 8 crore), Marco Jansen (INR 7.5 crore)
Purse remaining: INR 5.1 crore
As defending champions, RCB retained their maximum six players and added quality depth through the auction. Bishnoi gives them a wicket-taking spin option they lacked in 2025.
Retained: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, Phil Salt
Key auction picks: Arshdeep Singh (INR 11 crore), Tilak Varma (INR 10.5 crore)
Purse remaining: INR 6.2 crore
KKR focused on adding Indian talent to complement their overseas core. Arshdeep provides the left-arm death bowling option they have long sought.
Retained: Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Sai Sudharsan
Key auction picks: Shubman Gill (INR 23.5 crore), Spencer Johnson (INR 14.5 crore)
Purse remaining: INR 2.8 crore
GT invested heavily in two players, betting their season on Gill's captaincy and Johnson's pace. With Rashid and Shami already in the bag, the bowling attack is world-class.
Every mega auction produces unexpected outcomes. Key surprises from IPL 2026:
Several high-profile players went unsold in the initial rounds, including some former IPL regulars. While some were picked up in the accelerated rounds at reduced base prices, a few big names missed out entirely — a reminder that the auction is as much about timing, slots, and team balance as it is about talent.
The auction results directly impact fantasy cricket strategy. Players who move to new franchises often take 3-5 matches to find their rhythm, while retained players at familiar venues tend to start strong. Use the SportGodAI fantasy team builder to see updated player ratings that factor in auction outcomes, team composition, and projected batting positions. Our AI predictions model recalibrated after the auction to account for squad changes across all 10 teams.
Try Sport God AI live
Live scores, AI predictions, and fantasy — free during IPL 2026.