Maxwell missing; 45 players at ₹2cr bracket in IPL auction:Green, Livingstone, Bishnoi among 1,355 players interested in mini-auction on Dec 16

The 2026 IPL auction is already a contest before a single bid is placed. As many as 45 players, including Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Ravi Bishnoi and Venkatesh Iyer, have entered the highest base-price bracket of ₹2 crore, turning this year’s longlist into one of the most top-heavy in IPL history. 90% names expected to be filtered out, only 77 vacancies The IPL has shared a 1,355-player longlist with franchises after registrations closed on November 30, claims media reports including a Cricbuzz piece. But with only 77 vacancies across 10 teams, including 31 overseas slots, more than 90% of the names are set to be filtered out once teams submit their wishlists by December 5. The auction will run as a day-long event in Abu Dhabi on December 16. The biggest storyline heading into the auction is Cameron Green. The Australian all-rounder, who skipped the 2025 mega-auction due to a back injury, is expected to be the most sought-after name this year. KKR, CSK with the biggest purse KKR (₹64.3 crore purse) and CSK (₹43.4 crore) hold the strongest financial muscle and both have an overseas vacancy at the top of their wishlists. With Andre Russell announcing his IPL retirement, KKR are widely viewed as the frontrunners for Green, a flexible batter, reliable seamer and elite fielder. Meanwhile, several high-profile releases have also entered the ₹2 crore bracket. CSK’s former death-overs specialist Pathirana, let go after an injury-hit year, headlines this group. Livingstone, who lasted only one season with RCB after being bought for ₹8.75 crore, is back in the pool. Among Indians, Venkatesh Iyer, once a ₹23.75 crore buy for KKR, and Ravi Bishnoi, released by LSG after declining returns, are the prominent names. Glenn Maxwell opts out due to injury One major omission is Glenn Maxwell, who fractured his finger in 2025 and has not registered. PBKS have retained his replacement, Mitchell Owen. PBKS also face uncertainty over wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who helped take them to the final but has declared only 25% availability for the 2026 season, forcing his return to the auction. The stacked ₹2 crore list includes established internationals like Devon Conway, Steve Smith, Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, Adam Milne, Anrich Nortje, David Miller, Mustafizur Rahman, Tom Curran, Finn Allen, Alzarri Joseph and more- setting the stage for a potentially aggressive bidding war for proven performers.