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IPL 2026 Auction Diaries: The Day the "Prince" Became a King and Dollars Rained on Green
By Cricket Desk | January 4, 2026
Take a deep breath. Drink some water. Are you okay? Because if you are a cricket fan, your heart rate has probably been fluctuating like a rollercoaster for the last 8 hours.
The gavel has finally fallen. The auctioneer has wiped the sweat off his brow. The owners have closed their laptops. And the IPL 2026 Auction is officially history. But oh my god, what a history it has written today!
We thought we had seen it all. We saw Starc cross 24 crores in 2024. We saw Cummins break records. But today? Today was different. Today was madness. Today was the day the dynamics of the Indian Premier League changed forever.
We witnessed the "Yellow Revolution" as Sanju Samson found a new home. We witnessed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) doing the most "RCB thing" ever by breaking the bank (again). And we saw young Indian talent becoming millionaires in seconds.
If you missed the live action because you were busy with Sunday chores, don't worry. Pull up a chair. I am going to take you through every single twist, turn, bid, and shock of the day.
The Headline Act: Sanju Samson is "Yellove"
Let’s start with the news that broke the internet. The moment the auctioneer announced, "Set number 2, Wicket-keeper batsman, Sanju Samson," the room went silent.
Everyone knew Rajasthan Royals (RR) had released him (a decision they might regret for decades). Everyone knew teams wanted a captain. But nobody, and I mean nobody, expected the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to go this hard.
The Bidding War
It started slow. Delhi Capitals raised the paddle. Mumbai Indians jumped in. The price ticked up to 10 Crores. Then, the CSK table woke up. Usually, CSK is calm. They bid slowly. They smile. But today? They were aggressive. They wanted their man. When the bid crossed 16 Crores, Mumbai pulled out. But CSK kept the paddle up. "Sold for 18.50 Crores to Chennai Super Kings!"
Why This Changes Everything
For years, the question has been: "Who after Dhoni?" We thought it was Ruturaj Gaikwad. And while Ruturaj is a fantastic captain, the team needed a senior figure behind the stumps. Sanju Samson isn't just a player; he is an emotion. He has that lazy elegance. He hits sixes that look like gentle pushes. Imagine this: The spin is gripping at Chepauk. The ball is turning. Sanju steps out and lofts it over extra cover. The "Whistle Podu" army goes wild. He fits the CSK philosophy perfectly—calm, composed, and destructive against spin. The transition from the "Pink City" to the "Yellow Army" is going to be the biggest storyline of 2026.
The 25-Crore Gamble: Cameron Green to RCB
If Sanju was the emotional story, Cameron Green was the financial blockbuster.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)... oh, RCB. Never change. They came into this auction with a massive purse and a clear plan: "We want the best all-rounder on the planet."
When Cameron Green’s name came up, it was like throwing fresh meat into a tank of sharks. Punjab Kings wanted him. Sunrisers Hyderabad wanted him. But RCB? They were possessed. They didn't care about the budget. They didn't care about balance. They just kept raising the paddle.
Final Price: ₹25.00 Crores. Let that sink in. Twenty-five crores for one player. He is now the Most Expensive Player in IPL History.
Is It Worth It?
Look, Cameron Green is a beast. He is 6-foot-something, bowls at 140 kmph, and hits the ball into the second tier. RCB plays at the Chinnaswamy Stadium—a graveyard for bowlers and a paradise for batters. Green can clear those small boundaries with his eyes closed. But here is the risk: When you spend 25 Crores on one guy, your budget for bowlers shrinks. RCB has built a "Ferrari engine" (Batting) but put "bicycle tires" (Bowling) on it again? Or is Green the missing piece of the puzzle? Only time will tell, but for now, RCB fans are dreaming of that elusive trophy.
The Unexpected Heroes: Indian Talent Rises
While the foreigners took the big checks, the heart of the IPL is still Indian talent. And today, the franchises showed that they have done their homework.
It wasn't just about the stars. It was about the U-19 kids and the domestic grinders.
Sameer Rizvi (Re-bought by CSK): After a mixed season previously, CSK showed faith again.
Naman Dhir to Mumbai: MI loves scouting hidden gems, and they picked up this explosive batter for a decent price.
The Pace Bowlers: Any Indian bowler who can clock 140+ kmph was sold for gold. Teams have realized that "Pace is Pace." You can't teach speed.
Team-by-Team Analysis: Who Won the Auction?
Now, let’s put on our analyst hats. It’s easy to spend money, but it’s hard to build a squad. Here is my verdict on the top teams.
1. Chennai Super Kings (The Masterclass)
Strategy: Fill the "Dhoni Void" and strengthen the spin department.
Top Buys: Sanju Samson (18.5 Cr), Rachin Ravindra (Buyback), Matheesha Pathirana (RTM).
Verdict: A+. They got exactly what they needed. Sanju provides stability at No. 3 or No. 4. Their spin attack for Chepauk looks lethal. They didn't panic, they didn't overspend on random players. They executed a plan.
2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (The High Rollers)
Strategy: "Go Big or Go Home."
Top Buys: Cameron Green (25 Cr), Phil Salt (14 Cr).
Verdict: B-. Hear me out. Their batting is terrifying. Kohli, Green, Salt, Patidar, Maxwell (if retained/bought). They will score 250 runs every game. But who is bowling the 19th over? Who is defending 10 runs in the final over? They spent so much on Green that their bowling depth looks thin again. It’s entertaining, but is it championship-winning?
3. Mumbai Indians (The Pace Factory)
Strategy: Pace, Pace, and more Pace.
Top Buys: Jofra Archer (Return), Gerald Coetzee.
Verdict: A. Mumbai Indians did what they do best. They ignored the spinners (mostly) and bought fast bowlers. Imagine facing Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer in the same 20 overs. It’s a nightmare for batters. They also strengthened their lower order. They look scary.
4. Sunrisers Hyderabad (The Smart Spenders)
Strategy: Balance and Aggression.
Top Buys: Pat Cummins (15.75 Cr), Travis Head (Retained/RTM).
Verdict: A. They kept their core. Cummins is a proven leader. They didn't do anything crazy, but they plugged their holes. They are the dark horses.
The "Steal" Deals of the Day
In every auction, there are players who go for way less than they are worth. Here are my picks for the "Steals of IPL 2026":
Kane Williamson to Gujarat (2 Cr): Getting a brain like Kane for base price? That’s a heist. He brings calm to the dressing room.
Shardul Thakur to KKR (4 Cr): "Lord" Shardul is a wicket-taker and a handy batter. In an inflated market, 4 Crores is a bargain.
Noor Ahmad to LSG (3.5 Cr): A mystery spinner for that price? brilliant business by Lucknow.
The Emotional Angle: What Does This Mean for the Fans?
Let’s talk about feelings for a second.
To the Rajasthan Royals Fans: I feel for you. Losing a captain, a local hero, and a face of the franchise like Sanju Samson is heartbreaking. It feels like a breakup. But trust the process. RR has a great academy. They will find a new star.
To the CSK Fans: You guys are the winners today. You didn't just get a player; you got a successor. Sanju has that "Thala" vibe—calm, smiling, but dangerous. Treat him well.
To the RCB Fans: Get your calculators ready. You are going to need them to calculate Net Run Rate again. But hey, at least the matches will be fun!
Expert Verdict: Who Looks Strongest?
If I had to put my money on a team right now, looking at the paper squads:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) looks the most complete. They have experience, they have youth, and they have the "Chepauk Advantage." Mumbai Indians (MI) is a close second purely because of their bowling attack. In T20s, batters win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is the "Wildcard." If Green fires, they are unstoppable. If he flops, it’s a long season.
What’s Next? The Road to March 26
The auction is over. The squads are locked. Now, the real work begins. The support staff will start analyzing videos. The players will head to training camps. The marketing teams will start shooting promos.
The IPL 2026 is scheduled to start on March 26. That’s less than three months away. We are going to see Sanju in Yellow. We are going to see Green in Red. We are going to see Bumrah breaking stumps in Blue.
The stage is set. The drama is guaranteed. Cricket, my friends, is the winner today.
Detailed Squad Tables (Top Teams)
Just so you have the full picture, here is a quick look at how the big boys line up:
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Mumbai Indians (MI) | RCB |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) | Hardik Pandya (C) | Virat Kohli |
| Sanju Samson (WK) | Rohit Sharma | Cameron Green |
| Rachin Ravindra | Suryakumar Yadav | Phil Salt (WK) |
| Shivam Dube | Tilak Varma | Rajat Patidar |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Naman Dhir | Glenn Maxwell |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Jasprit Bumrah | Mohd. Siraj |
| Deepak Chahar | Jofra Archer | Yash Dayal |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Gerald Coetzee | Will Jacks |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why did RR release Sanju Samson?
A: Official reasons haven't been given, but rumors suggest a disagreement over retention purse distribution. RR wanted to retain Jaiswal and Parag at higher brackets, and Sanju decided to test his value in the auction. And boy, did he prove his value!
Q2: Is MS Dhoni playing in IPL 2026?
A: Yes! Thala is back. He has been retained as an "Uncapped Player" (thanks to the new rule for retired players). He will likely play as a finisher and mentor Sanju Samson.
Q3: Who is the captain of RCB?
A: Virat Kohli is rumored to take back the captaincy, but there is chatter that Cameron Green might be groomed for the role in the future.
Q4: Which big players went UNSOLD?
A: The biggest shock was Steve Smith. In this era of rapid T20s, teams didn't find a spot for his anchor style. Also, a few aging fast bowlers like Tim Southee found no buyers.
Q5: When do tickets go on sale?
A: Usually, tickets go on sale 2-3 weeks before the tournament starts. Expect them to be available around early March 2026.
So, that’s the wrap. The hammer has fallen. The cheques have been signed. Now, we wait for the first ball to be bowled.
Tell me in the comments: Do you think Sanju Samson will win the trophy for CSK? Or was RCB right to spend 25 Crores on Green?
Keep Watching. Keep Cheering. Keep Bleeding Blue (or Yellow, or Red!).
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