IPL 2026 auction: KKR snap up Cameron Green for a record 25.20 crore bid

The IPL 2026 auction saw all the anticipation around Cameron Green turn true early in the proceedings. The Australia all-rounder, widely tipped to command the biggest price tag at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, justified expectations when three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for a staggering INR 25.20 crore on Tuesday. The 26-year-old had entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore and eventually attracted bids worth more than 12 times that amount following a fierce contest among franchises at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Cameron Green shatters bidding records at IPL 2026 auction, goes to KKR

Although Cameron Green was listed as a batter at the IPL 2026 auction, he clarified a few days beforehand that the categorisation was the result of an administrative oversight by his manager, confirming that he would be available to bowl during the tournament.

With the hammer falling beyond the INR 25 crore mark, Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history, surpassing the previous record held by Mitchell Starc, who had been bought for INR 24.75 crore ahead of the IPL 2024 season. In the all-time list, Green now stands as the third costliest player overall, behind only Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.

Interestingly, Green also set another landmark during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, attracting a record 117 bids, the highest ever for a single player, eclipsing the earlier benchmark of 103 bids, which had been held by Shreyas Iyer.

The bidding process for Green was kicked off by the Mumbai Indians, who arrived at the auction with a purse marginally above INR 2 crore. Rajasthan Royals soon followed with a counter, before Kolkata Knight Riders stepped in decisively to signal their intent. What followed was an intense duel between KKR and the Royals, with both franchises pushing the price upward without hesitation. The Royals eventually bowed out when KKR placed a bid of INR 13.60 crore, seemingly clearing the path for the Knight Riders, until Chennai Super Kings entered the fray.

From that moment, a high-stakes bidding battle unfolded between five-time champions CSK and KKR, as the two sides relentlessly outbid each other. The figure swiftly crossed the much-discussed INR 18 crore threshold within minutes. Ultimately, it was KKR who emerged victorious, locking in Green for a massive sum of INR 25.20 crore.

However, as per the official regulations laid down by the IPL Governing Council, Cameron Green will receive only INR 18 crore from the deal despite the higher bid amount. The league organisers had earlier clarified that overseas players are entitled to a maximum salary of INR 18 crore, even if bidding exceeds that figure.

This upper limit was introduced by the BCCI ahead of last year’s IPL auction and has since been extended to cover the mini-auction as well. The cap mirrors the highest retention bracket from the previous mega auction, ensuring uniformity in the maximum earnings allowed for overseas players.

Any amount beyond the INR 18 crore threshold will be redirected to the BCCI’s player welfare fund, although the franchise concerned must still account for the full bid amount from its auction purse. Notably, this restriction is applicable exclusively to overseas cricketers.

Green has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. Across his career in the league, he has featured in 29 matches, amassing 707 runs, including an unbeaten century as his highest score. With the ball, the Australian has also made a useful contribution, picking up 16 wickets to date.