The dust has settled on the IPL 2026 Mini Auction, an event that once again reshaped the competitive destiny of the 10 franchises. As someone who has tracked these T20 cricket league dynamics for years, I can say this year’s bidding war was a masterclass in evolving strategy, punctuated by jaw-dropping, record-breaking buys. The headline, of course, was the creation of history with a staggering bid of 25.2 Cr for an Overseas player, a mark that resets the ceiling for most expensive purchases. But beyond that singular moment, the real story lies in how each team meticulously built its complete squad players list, balancing marquee names with shrewd quality buys for the long IPL season ahead.
Delving into the team-wise breakdown, the auction saw all 10 teams strategically fill their slots, with a total of 25 players finding new homes. The categories of players acquired tell a fascinating tale. For instance, CSK’s approach often involves a blend of loyalty and surprise, sometimes making a last-minute U-turn in their strategy to secure a key asset. This year, their focus on retaining core strength while adding firepower was evident. Meanwhile, a team like RR will be hoping their new squad composition helps them team perform consistently. A significant highlight was the fierce competition for top-tier talent like Matheesha Pathirana and Ravi Bishnoi, the latter commanding a massive 14.2 Cr, proving world-class Indian spin is a premium commodity.
The purchases weren’t just about the stars. A keen eye was kept on the future, with several promising uncapped Indian players attracting fierce bidding, ensuring a pipeline of domestic talent. This is where the scouts earn their keep. The Overseas player market, as always, was hyper-competitive. A name like Cameron Green, moving to KKR, represents a monumental complete package – a potential game-changer for their balance. Each franchise’s squad list now reflects a calculated gamble, a mix of the recently added player from the auction and retained stalwarts.
Looking at the updated players list for IPL 2026, it’s clear that the mini auction was about targeted strikes rather than blanket spending. The players sold were integrated into team blueprints with specific roles in mind. Analyzing the category breakdown, from explosive openers to death-bowling specialists, shows how each unit sought to address past weaknesses. The final players names on each sheet are more than just a roster; they are a statement of intent for the upcoming crusade. As the teams depart the auction room, their complete vision for IPL 2026 is now locked in, setting the stage for another unforgettable chapter in this Indian Premier League.
IPL 2026 Teams with Updated Players List: Full Team-wise Squad & Final Rosters
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Specialization |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Ayush Mhatre | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Indian | Middle Order |
| Dewald Brevis | Overseas (SA) | Explosive Batter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Style |
| Sanju Samson | Indian | Top-order Batter |
| MS Dhoni | Indian | Finisher / Mentor |
| Kartik Sharma | Indian | Uncapped (Left-hand) |
| Urvil Patel | Indian | Hard-hitter |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Shivam Dube | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
| Prashant Veer | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Jamie Overton | Overseas (ENG) | Fast-medium / Bat |
| Matthew Short | Overseas (AUS) | Bat / Off-spin |
| Zak Foulkes | Overseas (NZ) | Pace / Bat |
| Aman Khan | Indian | Power-hitter / Pace |
| Anshul Kamboj | Indian | Fast-medium / Bat |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Noor Ahmad | Overseas (AFG) | Left-arm Wrist-spin |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Indian | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| Nathan Ellis | Overseas (AUS) | Right-arm Fast (Death) |
| Matt Henry | Overseas (NZ) | Right-arm Fast |
| Akeal Hosein | Overseas (WI) | Left-arm Orthodox |
| Rahul Chahar | Indian | Leg-spin |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Indian | Left-arm Medium-fast |
| Shreyas Gopal | Indian | Leg-spin |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Indian | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| Ramkrishna Ghosh | Indian | Right-arm Medium |
The Chennai Super Kings’ approach to the auction has always been a fascinating study in contrast, and their completed squad for IPL 2026 is a testament to their unique philosophy. While the headlines were grabbed by a record-breaking 14.2 Cr spend elsewhere, CSK’s war room operated with characteristic calm precision. Their major focus was unmistakably on adding specific, high-quality players to address key roles. They bolstered their middle-order explosiveness by bringing in the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and the promising Dewald Brevis, while shrewdly securing the services of Matthew Short and Akeal Hosein for all-round flexibility. The pace attack gets a proven performer in Matt Henry, and the spin department is intriguingly enhanced with the acquisition of Rahul Chahar and the young Afghan mystery spinner Noor Ahmad, providing ledership with a wealth of quality options. This isn’t a team built on frenzy; it’s a meticulously curated unit of 25 players designed for the long Chennai summer.
What truly defines this CSK squad, however, is its blend of legacy and fresh blood. The core, likely led once more by the iconic MS Dhoni with Ruturaj Gaikwad as the batting stalwart, remains its bedrock. They understand that sustainable success comes from building around pillars like Shivam Dube’s power and Sanju Samson’s flair, while simultaneously investing in the future. This is where their quiet work on uncapped players like Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer becomes critical. It’s a classic CSK move: while others chase astronomical bids, they secure potential gems who can learn from the best, ensuring the famous yellow pipeline never runs dry. With further depth added through the left-arm seam of Khaleel Ahmed, this completed roster looks balanced, deep, and ready to challenge, proving once again that their strategy is less about breaking records and more about building a perfectly harmonious unit.
Delhi Capitals (DC) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Ashutosh Sharma | Indian | Middle-order Finisher |
| David Miller | Overseas (SA) | Power-hitter / Finisher |
| Karun Nair | Indian | Solid Top-order |
| Pathum Nissanka | Overseas (SL) | Technical Opener |
| Prithvi Shaw | Indian | Explosive Opener |
| Sahil Parakh | Indian | Uncapped Talent |
| Sameer Rizvi | Indian | Young Hard-hitter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| KL Rahul | Indian | Anchor / Keeper |
| Tristan Stubbs | Overseas (SA) | Dynamic Finisher |
| Ben Duckett | Overseas (ENG) | Innovative Top-order |
| Abhishek Porel | Indian | Left-hand Attacker |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Axar Patel (C) | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Nitish Rana | Indian | Bat / Part-time Spin |
| Auqib Dar | Indian | Seam-bowling All-rounder |
| Ajay Mandal | Indian | Spin All-rounder |
| Tripurana Vijay | Indian | Off-spin / Bat |
| Vipraj Nigam | Indian | Leg-spin / Bat |
| Madhav Tiwari | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Mitchell Starc | Overseas (AUS) | Left-arm Fast |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Indian | Left-arm Wrist-spin |
| T. Natarajan | Indian | Left-arm Fast (Yorkers) |
| Mukesh Kumar | Indian | Right-arm Medium-fast |
| Lungi Ngidi | Overseas (SA) | Right-arm Fast |
| Kyle Jamieson | Overseas (NZ) | Tall Hit-the-deck Pace |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Overseas (SL) | Raw Pace |
The Delhi Capitals entered this Auction with a glaring need and addressed it head-on. Their primary targeted focus was undeniably on adding serious firepower to what was a short list of impactful bowlers. The marquee move, of course, was the spectacular homecoming of the pace ace Mitchell Starc, a signing that immediately transforms their attack. They complemented this by bringing in high-quality overseas seamers like the tall Kyle Jamieson and the experienced Lungi Ngidi, while also investing in young local talent such as the promising Auqib Dar. This overhaul ahead of the new season balances beautifully with their formidable core of Indian stars like the captaincy duo of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, the ever-reliable Axar Patel, the wizardry of Kuldeep Yadav, and the explosive Prithvi Shaw. To round out a potent batting lineup, they cleverly secured top-quality overseas batsmen in the versatile Ben Duckett and the dynamic Pathum Nissanka, alongside the fierce hitting of Tristan Stubbs. Overall, this DC squad now looks meticulously balanced, with a reinforced bowling unit capable of supporting what promises to be a devastating batting order.
Gujarat Titans (GT) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Shubman Gill (C) | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Sai Sudharsan | Indian | Top-order Batter |
| Shahrukh Khan | Indian | Finisher / Power-hitter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Jos Buttler | Overseas (ENG) | Explosive Opener |
| Tom Banton | Overseas (ENG) | Aggressive Batter |
| Anuj Rawat | Indian | Middle-order / Keeper |
| Kumar Kushagra | Indian | Young Middle-order |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Washington Sundar | Indian | Off-spin / Bat |
| Rashid Khan | Overseas (AFG) | Leg-spin / Finisher |
| Rahul Tewatia | Indian | Leg-spin / Finisher |
| Glenn Phillips | Overseas (NZ) | Bat / Off-spin / Keeper |
| Jason Holder | Overseas (WI) | Pace All-rounder |
| Jayant Yadav | Indian | Off-spin / Bat |
| Nishant Sindhu | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Mohammed Siraj | Indian | Right-arm Fast |
| Kagiso Rabada | Overseas (SA) | Right-arm Fast |
| Prasidh Krishna | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| R. Sai Kishore | Indian | Left-arm Orthodox |
| Ishant Sharma | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Luke Wood | Overseas (ENG) | Left-arm Fast |
| Arshad Khan | Indian | Left-arm Medium-fast |
| Ashok Sharma | Indian | Right-arm Fast |
| Manav Suthar | Indian | Left-arm Orthodox |
| Gurnoor Brar | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Prithviraj Yarra | Indian | Left-arm Medium-fast |
For the Gujarat Titans, this wasn’t an auction about frantic shopping, but rather a strategic mission to add specific quality options to an already well-settled team. The core of this GT team is incredibly strong, built to depend heavily on its IPL 2025 stars like the captain Shubman Gill, the explosive Jos Buttler, the reliable Sai Sudharsan, and the spin magician Rashid Khan. Their shrewd purchases reflect targeted enhancements: bringing in the experience and all-round prowess of Jason Holder provides incredible balance, while the pace attack, already featuring the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and the fearsome Kagiso Rabada, becomes arguably the league’s best. With further spin depth from Washington Sundar and the finishing prowess of Rahul Tewatia, supplemented by picks like Tom Banton and Ashok Sharma for specific roles, the Titans have meticulously fortified an already formidable squad without disrupting its settled, winning harmony.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Ajinkya Rahane (C) | Indian | Opening Batter / Captain |
| Rinku Singh | Indian | Finisher / Middle Order |
| Rahul Tripathi | Indian | Top-order Aggressor |
| Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Indian | Young Technical Batter |
| Manish Pandey | Indian | Experienced Middle-order |
| Rovman Powell | Overseas (WI) | Power-hitter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Finn Allen | Overseas (NZ) | Explosive Opening Batter |
| Tim Seifert | Overseas (NZ) | Dynamic Middle-order |
| Tejasvi Singh | Indian | Uncapped Talent |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Sunil Narine | Overseas (WI) | Off-spin / Utility Batter |
| Cameron Green | Overseas (AUS) | Fast-medium / Top-order Bat |
| Rachin Ravindra | Overseas (NZ) | Left-arm Spin / Opener |
| Ramandeep Singh | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
| Anukul Roy | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Sarthak Ranjan | Indian | Bat / Part-time Spin |
| Daksh Kamra | Indian | Young All-rounder |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Overseas (SL) | Right-arm Fast (Death Specialist) |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Indian | Mystery Spin |
| Harshit Rana | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Umran Malik | Indian | Express Right-arm Fast |
| Akash Deep | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Vaibhav Arora | Indian | Swin g Specialist |
| Kartik Tyagi | Indian | Right-arm Fast |
| Prashant Solanki | Indian | Leg-spin |
The Kolkata Knight Riders entered the Auction with a clear and audacious statement of intent, decisively utilising their maximum purse to reshape their destiny. In a move that made history, they shattered records by purchasing Cameron Green for a staggering 25.2 Cr salary, making him the most expensive Overseas player in IPL history. This monumental acquisition was just the centrepiece of a brilliant haul; they further astutely acquired a suite of other genuine quality players to address every need. The bowling attack receives a fearsome boost with the slingy action of Matheesha Pathirana and the cunning variations of Mustafizur Rahman, while the batting and all-round depth is wonderfully enhanced by the multi-skilled talents of Rachin Ravindra and the versatile wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert. This spending spree, executed within all BCCI restrictions, demonstrates a franchise that has boldly retooled its entire team around a new, powerful core, making them the undisputed headline act of the pre-season.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Aiden Markram | Overseas (SA) | Top-order Anchor |
| Ayush Badoni | Indian | Dynamic Middle-order |
| Akshat Raghuvanshi | Indian | Aggressive Middle-order |
| Himmat Singh | Indian | Solid Top-order |
| Matthew Breetzke | Overseas (SA) | Top-order Batter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Rishabh Pant (C) | Indian | Captain / Left-hand Attacker |
| Nicholas Pooran | Overseas (WI) | Vice-captain / Power-hitter |
| Josh Inglis | Overseas (AUS) | Versatile Aggressor |
| Mukul Choudhary | Indian | Young Power-hitter |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Mitchell Marsh | Overseas (AUS) | Fast-bowling All-rounder |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Overseas (SL) | Leg-spin / Finisher |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Abdul Samad | Indian | Power-hitter / Leg-spin |
| Arshin Kulkarni | Indian | Fast-medium / Opening Bat |
| Arjun Tendulkar | Indian | Left-arm Medium / Bat |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Mohammed Shami | Indian | Right-arm Fast (Seam) |
| Mayank Yadav | Indian | Express Right-arm Fast |
| Anrich Nortje | Overseas (SA) | Express Right-arm Fast |
| Avesh Khan | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Mohsin Khan | Indian | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| M. Siddharth | Indian | Left-arm Mystery Spin |
| Digvesh Singh | Indian | Right-arm Leg-break |
| Naman Tiwari | Indian | Left-arm Fast |
| Prince Yadav | Indian | Right-arm Medium-fast |
| Akash Singh | Indian | Left-arm Medium-fast |
The Lucknow Super Giants had what can only be described as a smart and somewhat lucky Auction, securing elite talent at their base price when other franchises were distracted by bigger names. Their most interesting purchase was the brilliant all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, whose availability for the full season is a massive coup, alongside the outright pace of Anrich Nortje—both signings that immediately elevate the team’s ceiling. With a strategic spend of 8.6 Cr to also bring in the explosive Josh Inglis, their Overseas batting department now has versatile firepower, and Inglis is poised to play an important role. This approach of signing proven, world-class players rather than speculative picks means the LSG squad looks incredibly balanced and ready to challenge, with each new player representing a significant present-day asset as much as a future potential option for the crucial 4 matches in the league stage and beyond.
Mumbai Indians (MI) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Rohit Sharma | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Indian | 360-degree Specialist |
| Tilak Varma | Indian | Middle-order / Left-hand |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Overseas (WI) | Power-hitter (Traded in) |
| Danish Malewar | Indian | Uncapped Talent |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Quinton de Kock | Overseas (SA) | Explosive Opener |
| Ryan Rickelton | Overseas (SA) | Top-order Aggressor |
| Robin Minz | Indian | Left-hand Finisher |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Hardik Pandya (C) | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
| Will Jacks | Overseas (ENG) | Explosive Bat / Off-spin |
| Mitchell Santner | Overseas (NZ) | Left-arm Spin / Utility Bat |
| Naman Dhir | Indian | Bat / Off-spin |
| Corbin Bosch | Overseas (SA) | Pace All-rounder |
| Raj Bawa | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
| Atharva Ankolekar | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Mayank Rawat | Indian | Utility All-rounder |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Indian | Right-arm Fast (Elite) |
| Trent Boult | Overseas (NZ) | Left-arm Fast (Swing) |
| Shardul Thakur | Indian | Pace / Golden Arm (Traded) |
| Deepak Chahar | Indian | Powerplay Swing |
| Mayank Markande | Indian | Leg-spin (Traded) |
| Allah Ghazanfar | Overseas (AFG) | Mystery Spin |
| Ashwani Kumar | Indian | Right-arm Medium-fast |
| Mohammad Izhar | Indian | Uncapped Seamer |
| Raghu Sharma | Indian | Leg-spin |
Operating with the lowest purse of just 2.75 Cr at the Auction, Mumbai Indians had to be surgical, and their MI management executed a classic low-budget masterclass. Their headline move was the absolute steal of securing the proven quality of Quinton de Kock for a mere 1 Cr to solidly fill the opening slot, a signing that should comfortably overshadow other options like Ryan Rickelton for that role. The rest of their limited funds were wisely invested in promising, uncapped names such as Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat, Mohammad Izhar, and Danish Melawar, scouting for future gems. But the true strength of this team will, as always, depend on its formidable core comprising legends like Rohit Sharma, the brilliance of Suryakumar Yadav (SKY), the power of Hardik Pandya, the yorkers of Jasprit Bumrah, the emerging flair of Tilak Varma, and the swing of Trent Boult, making this a case of a champion squad getting shrewder, not richer.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Shreyas Iyer (C) | Indian | Captain / Anchor |
| Shashank Singh | Indian | Power-hitter / Finisher |
| Nehal Wadhera | Indian | Middle-order Aggressor |
| Musheer Khan | Indian | Technical Middle-order |
| Priyansh Arya | Indian | Top-order Batter |
| Harnoor Pannu | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Pyla Avinash | Indian | Middle Order |
| Mitchell Owen | Overseas (AUS) | Dynamic Batter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Prabhsimran Singh | Indian | Explosive Opener |
| Vishnu Vinod | Indian | Utility Finisher |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Marcus Stoinis | Overseas (AUS) | Pace All-rounder |
| Marco Jansen | Overseas (SA) | Left-arm Fast / Bat |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Overseas (AFG) | Pace All-rounder |
| Cooper Connolly | Overseas (AUS) | Left-arm Spin / Power-hitter |
| Harpreet Brar | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Utility Bat |
| Suryansh Shedge | Indian | Bat / Part-time Spin |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Arshdeep Singh | Indian | Left-arm Fast (Death) |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Indian | Leg-spin |
| Lockie Ferguson | Overseas (NZ) | Express Pace |
| Xavier Bartlett | Overseas (AUS) | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Ben Dwarshuis | Overseas (AUS) | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| Vyshak Vijaykumar | Indian | Right-arm Medium-fast |
| Yash Thakur | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Pravin Dubey | Indian | Leg-spin |
| Vishal Nishad | Indian | Left-arm Fast |
Coming into the Auction with a fairly settled squad, the Punjab Kings’ primary focus was to sensibly add backups and deepen their bench, and they did a pretty good job of it. They’ve added smart overseas utility in the form of Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis, while also bringing in domestic experience like Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad. The real intrigue for PBKS, however, lies in their faith on uncapped Indian talent playing a crucial role; the middle order looks dynamic with the promising Nehal Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, and the explosive PrabSimran Singh, while the finishing power of Shashank Singh and the crafty spin of Harpreet Brar provide excellent balance. This isn’t a team that made flashy buys, but one that has quietly fortified its foundations, betting on its core young Indian batters and all-rounders to deliver consistently.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Indian | Young Left-hand Opener |
| Shimron Hetmyer | Overseas (WI) | Power-hitter / Finisher |
| Shubham Dubey | Indian | Hard-hitter |
| Aman Rao | Indian | Uncapped Batter |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Dhruv Jurel | Indian | Middle-order / Finisher |
| Donovan Ferreira | Overseas (SA) | Power-hitter (Traded in) |
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Overseas (SA) | Explosive Top-order |
| Ravi Singh | Indian | Uncapped Left-hander |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Riyan Parag (C) | Indian | Bat / Leg-spin |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat (Traded in) |
| Sam Curran | Overseas (ENG) | Left-arm Fast / Bat (Traded in) |
| Yudhvir Charak | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Jofra Archer | Overseas (ENG) | Express Right-arm Fast |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Indian | Leg-spin (Auction Buy) |
| Kwena Maphaka | Overseas (SA) | Left-arm Fast |
| Nandre Burger | Overseas (SA) | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| Sandeep Sharma | Indian | Powerplay/Death Specialist |
| Tushar Deshpande | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Kuldeep Sen | Indian | Right-arm Fast |
| Adam Milne | Overseas (NZ) | Right-arm Fast |
| Brijesh Sharma | Indian | Uncapped Bowler |
| Sushant Mishra | Indian | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| Vignesh Puthur | Indian | Left-arm Wrist-spin |
| Yash Punja | Indian | Leg-spin |
The Rajasthan Royals’ planning for this Auction was clearly defined and expertly executed, building upon their major pre-auction move where they traded for the legendary all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Their strategy focused heavily on bolstering the bowling attack, making a massive statement by securing the spin wizard Ravi Bishnoi as one of their key quality buys. They further bought a mix of pace and promise in bowlers like the fiery Adam Milne, the returning Kuldeep Sen, and uncapped talents Sushant Mishra, Vignesh Puthur, Yash Punja, and Brijesh Sharma for depth. This fresh artillery complements the existing core that includes the explosive Sam Curran and the dynamic Donovan Ferreira. With the charismatic Sanju Samson leading the side, this RR outfit has sculpted a remarkably well-balanced squad that blends superstar power with shrewd, targeted acquisitions, making them a formidable prospect.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Virat Kohli | Indian | Opening Batter |
| Rajat Patidar (C) | Indian | Top-order / Captain |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Indian | Top-order Batter |
| Tim David | Overseas (AUS) | Power-hitter / Finisher |
| Satvik Deswal | Indian | Uncapped Talent |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Phil Salt | Overseas (ENG) | Explosive Opener |
| Jitesh Sharma | Indian | Middle-order / Finisher |
| Jordan Cox | Overseas (ENG) | Dynamic Middle-order |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Indian | Bat / Medium-pace |
| Krunal Pandya | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Romario Shepherd | Overseas (WI) | Pace All-rounder / Finisher |
| Jacob Bethell | Overseas (ENG) | Left-arm Spin / Bat |
| Swapnil Singh | Indian | Left-arm Spin / Utility Bat |
| Mangesh Yadav | Indian | Uncapped All-rounder |
| Vicky Ostwal | Indian | Left-arm Orthodox |
| Kanishk Chouhan | Indian | Utility All-rounder |
| Vihaan Malhotra | Indian | Young All-rounder |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Josh Hazlewood | Overseas (AUS) | Right-arm Fast |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Indian | Powerplay Swing Specialist |
| Yash Dayal | Indian | Left-arm Fast-medium |
| Nuwan Thushara | Overseas (SL) | Right-arm Fast (Slingy) |
| Suyash Sharma | Indian | Leg-spin |
| Rasikh Dar | Indian | Right-arm Medium-fast |
| Jacob Duffy | Overseas (NZ) | Right-arm Fast |
| Abhinandan Singh | Indian | Left-arm Fast |
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru approached the Auction with the luxury of a fairly settled squad, requiring only minimal work to add backups and finishing touches. Their most fortunate and significant move was securing a ready-made, first-choice playing 11 player in the powerful all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, which creates an interesting toss-up in the top order alongside the talented Devdutt Padikkal. To round out their options, RCB made a sensible buy in the pace of Jacob Duffy and added quality Overseas players like the versatile wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox to their roster. This quiet but effective session of adding squad depth means the team can enter the season with its formidable core intact and a reinforced bench, allowing them to focus on consistency rather than integration.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) IPL 2026 Updated Players List
Batters
| Player Name | Nationality | Role / Specialization |
| Travis Head | Overseas (AUS) | Explosive Opening Batter |
| Aniket Verma | Indian | Top-order Aggressor |
| Smaran Ravichandran | Indian | Technical Middle-order |
Wicket-keepers
| Player Name | Nationality | Style |
| Ishan Kishan | Indian | Explosive Opener / Keeper |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Overseas (SA) | Elite Finisher / Spin Destroyer |
| Salil Arora | Indian | Hard-hitter (Bought for ₹1.5 Cr) |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Nationality | Skill Type |
| Abhishek Sharma | Indian | Bat / Left-arm Spin |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Indian | Pace All-rounder |
| Liam Livingstone | Overseas (ENG) | Power-hitter / Leg & Off-spin |
| Kamindu Mendis | Overseas (SL) | Ambidextrous Spin / Bat |
| Brydon Carse | Overseas (ENG) | Hit-the-deck Pace / Bat |
| Jack Edwards | Overseas (AUS) | Pace All-rounder (₹3 Cr buy) |
| Shivang Kumar | Indian | Uncapped All-rounder |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Nationality | Bowling Style |
| Pat Cummins (C) | Overseas (AUS) | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Harshal Patel | Indian | Death Specialist (Slower balls) |
| Shivam Mavi | Indian | Right-arm Fast-medium |
| Jaydev Unadkat | Indian | Left-arm Medium-fast |
| Ehsan Malinga | Overseas (SL) | Slingy Right-arm Fast |
| Zeeshan Ansari | Indian | Leg-spin |
| Sakib Hussain | Indian | Right-arm Medium |
| Harsh Dubey | Indian | Left-arm Orthodox |
| Amit Kumar | Indian | Leg-break Googly |
| Praful Hinge | Indian | Right-arm Medium-fast |
| Onkar Tarmale | Indian | Right-arm Fast |
| Krains Fuletra | Indian | Left-arm Wrist-spin |
Looking at their auction strategy, it seemed the Sunrisers Hyderabad team was initially interested in inflating the price for certain players, which left them with limited available quality options when the initial bids ended. With many teams conserving money, they had to make a forced buy of an expensive Liam Livingstone, almost out of options to bolster their middle order. This move, however, highlights a missing puzzle piece in their bowling lineup, creating a concerning dependency on their core trio of Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat to deliver consistently, while some uncapped players at base price will need to step up significantly.
So, that’s about the complete updated squad and players list for all 10 teams post the IPL 2026 Auction.
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Conclusion
The IPL 2026 auction has painted a fascinating new portrait for the league, where every franchise’s strategy was laid bare through their bids. From KKR’s record-shattering investment in Cameron Green to MI’s frugal genius in picking Quinton de Kock, each team crafted a distinct path. While some, like CSK and GT, focused on strategic, targeted enhancements, others like RR and LSG secured proven match-winners to fill crucial gaps. What truly defines this season’s build-up is the sharp emphasis on balance—whether through bolstering fragile bowling units, injecting explosive finishing power, or trusting young Indian talent. As the final squads take shape, one thing is clear: the upcoming season will be a compelling clash of philosophies, where auction-day decisions will be tested under the blazing summer lights. The stage is now set for these meticulously assembled units to transform paper strength into on-field glory.
FAQ
How many teams are there in IPL 2026?
There are 10 teams competing in IPL 2026.
Will IPL 2026 have 84 matches?
Yes, IPL 2026 will feature 84 matches, as the BCCI has expanded the tournament from the previous 74-match format.
Which is the strongest team in IPL 2026?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are considered the strongest team in IPL 2026, as they have built an elite squad featuring Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana.
Which team is Pat Cummins in IPL 2026?
Pat Cummins is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026.
Will IPL 2028 have 94 matches?
Yes, the BCCI is planning to expand the IPL to 94 matches by 2028 to allow for a full home-and-away format. This expansion is expected to align with the start of the next media rights cycle.
