Australian all-rounder Cameron Green emerged as the biggest headline of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, living up to expectations by becoming the most expensive player in the tournament’s history. The 26-year-old was snapped up by three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering ₹25.20 crore after an intense bidding war at the auction held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Green entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, but his value skyrocketed nearly 12-fold as multiple franchises battled aggressively for his signature. The bidding frenzy saw a record 117 bids placed for the Australian star, surpassing the previous record of 103 bids for Shreyas Iyer, highlighting the massive demand for a quality pace-bowling all-rounder.
Fierce Bidding War Among Top Franchises
The auction for Green was initially triggered by Mumbai Indians, his former franchise, despite their limited purse of just over ₹2 crore. Rajasthan Royals soon joined the race, followed by Kolkata Knight Riders, who emerged as the most determined contenders. KKR and Rajasthan Royals engaged in a prolonged bidding duel before the Royals exited once the price touched ₹13.60 crore.
Just when it appeared that KKR had secured the deal, five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered the fray, igniting a dramatic face-off between two of the IPL’s most successful teams. Within minutes, the bidding crossed ₹18 crore and continued to escalate rapidly, eventually culminating in KKR clinching Green for ₹25.20 crore.
With this deal, Green broke the previous IPL auction record held by Mitchell Starc, who was bought for ₹24.75 crore ahead of IPL 2024. Overall, Green now ranks as the third most expensive player in IPL auction history, behind Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.
Green Confirms All-Round Role
Interestingly, Green had initially entered the auction as a batter due to what he later clarified was a clerical error by his manager. Ahead of the auction, the Australian confirmed that he would be available as a bowling all-rounder, a factor that further boosted his value among franchises looking for multi-dimensional players.
Following his acquisition, Green expressed his excitement in a message shared by KKR. “I’m so excited to be a part of Kolkata. Playing at Eden Gardens and experiencing that atmosphere will be special. I hope it’s a great year for us. Ami KKR,” he said, instantly winning over fans.
Why Green Will Receive Only ₹18 Crore
Despite the ₹25.20 crore winning bid, Cameron Green will personally receive only ₹18 crore as salary. As per IPL and BCCI regulations, overseas players are subject to a salary cap of ₹18 crore, even if the auction bid exceeds that amount. This rule, introduced ahead of the previous auction cycle, aligns overseas player earnings with the highest retention slab.
The remaining amount beyond ₹18 crore will be transferred to the BCCI’s player welfare fund. However, KKR will still have to pay the full ₹25.20 crore from their auction purse. Notably, this salary cap applies only to overseas players, not Indian cricketers.
Green’s IPL Track Record
Cameron Green has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. In 29 matches so far, he has scored 707 runs, including an unbeaten century, and has picked up 16 wickets, underlining his value as a genuine all-rounder.
With KKR investing heavily in Green, expectations will be high as the franchise looks to leverage his batting power, seam bowling, and athletic fielding in their quest for another IPL title.
