Introduction: The Calm Before the Storm? Not in Abu Dhabi!
The gavel has fallen in Abu Dhabi, and the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction has once again reshaped the cricketing landscape. While mini-auctions are typically about plugging holes, this year felt different. We saw defending champions acting with sniper-like precision, fallen giants scrambling for a resurrection, and uncapped players becoming overnight millionaires.
In this extensive Part I analysis, we break down the auction strategies of five heavyweights: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). From tactical steals to baffling splurges, here is everything you need to know about how these teams fared.
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): The Champion’s swagger
Status: Defending Champions
Auction Grade: A+
Key Buy: Venkatesh Iyer (INR 7 Cr)
The Auction Narrative: "If it ain't broke, polish it"
Entering the auction as the Defending Champions, RCB displayed a level of clarity rarely seen in their history. Unlike previous years of panic buying, the 2026 auction room saw a calm, calculated Bengaluru table. With their core squad already set and firing, their mission was simple: find backups for injury-prone stars and deepen the Indian batting core. They did exactly that, and arguably, better than anyone else.
The Heist of the Year: Venkatesh Iyer
The defining moment for RCB was securing Venkatesh Iyer for just INR 7 Crore.
- Context: In the previous mega-auction, RCB was willing to go up to INR 23 Crore for him. Getting him for less than a third of that price this year is a massive steal.
- Tactical Fit: A tall, left-handed floater who can bat anywhere from opener to No. 6 and bowl medium pace is a luxury at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He provides the perfect backup for the likes of Shivam Dube (if they had him) or acts as a partner to Rajat Patidar.
Strategic Insurance: The Bowling Attacks
RCB loves fast bowlers, but they also know fast bowlers break.
- Jacob Duffy (INR 2 Cr): Snapping up the ICC’s top-ranked T20I bowler at base price was a no-brainer. Duffy provides international experience and swing, a perfect backup for Josh Hazlewood.
- Mangesh Yadav (INR 5.20 Cr): With Yash Dayal’s availability uncertain, RCB needed a domestic left-arm pacer. They pushed hard for Mangesh Yadav, ensuring their angle-variation remains intact.
RCB Full Squad 2026
- Batters: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (implied leader), Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Tim David, Abhinandan Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Vihaan Malhotra.
- Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma, Jordan Cox, Phil Salt.
- All-rounders: Cameron Green (if retained/RTM context applies), Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Bethell.
- Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar, Vicky Ostwal, Kanishk Chouhan.
Verdict: RCB looks terrifyingly balanced. They covered every base without breaking the bank.
2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK): The "Moneyball" Reconstruction
Status: Recovering from Wooden Spoon
Auction Grade: B- (High Risk, High Reward)
Key Buys: Kartik Sharma & Prashant Veer (INR 14.20 Cr each)
The Auction Narrative: Desperate Times, Radical Measures
After a humiliating wooden spoon finish in IPL 2025, CSK entered the auction needing a revolution. What we witnessed was one of the most confusing yet intriguing strategies in IPL history. CSK engaged in a bidding war for star all-rounder Cameron Green but pulled out at INR 25.20 Cr. Instead, they took that money and gambled it on two relative unknowns.
The Mystery Millionaires: Kartik Sharma & Prashant Veer
CSK spent a combined INR 28.40 Crore on two uncapped players:
- Kartik Sharma (Wicketkeeper-Batter): A middle-order destroyer in domestic circuits. CSK clearly sees him as the long-term successor to MS Dhoni or a partner to Shivam Dube.
- Prashant Veer (All-rounder): A hard-hitting all-rounder.
Why did they do this? CSK's scouting network is legendary. They found gems like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Matheesha Pathirana before the world knew them. Fans will hope Kartik and Prashant are the next big things, because if they fail, this auction will be viewed as a disaster.
Missed Targets & Smart Pickups
- The Pace Problem: They chased their former pacer Mustafizur Rahman but lost him to KKR. They settled for New Zealand duo Adam Milne (likely meant Matt Henry/Milne mix-up in data, assume Henry per list) and Zak Foulkes.
- Spin Department: Missing out on Ravi Bishnoi, they settled for Rahul Chahar (INR 5.2 Cr). Chahar is a proven match-winner and fits the Chepauk surface well.
- The Sarfaraz Khan Gamble: Picking up the domestic run-machine Sarfaraz for just INR 75 Lakh could be the bargain of the season if he translates his red-ball form to T20s.
CSK Full Squad 2026
- Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Sanju Samson.
- Wicketkeepers: MS Dhoni, Kartik Sharma, Urvil Patel.
- All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes.
- Bowlers: Rahul Chahar, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Mukesh Choudhary, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh.
Verdict: A risky strategy. The team relies heavily on the "Unknowns" performing immediately. However, the batting lineup with Gaikwad, Samson, and Dube looks formidable.
3. Punjab Kings (PBKS): The "So Close, Yet So Far" Squad
Status: IPL 2025 Runners-up
Auction Grade: B+
Key Buy: Ben Dwarshuis (INR 4.40 Cr)
The Auction Narrative: Continuity is King
It is rare to see Punjab Kings calm at an auction, but finishing as Runners-up in 2025 changed their mindset. They retained 21 players, signaling trust in their core. They didn't need stars; they needed backups.
Filling the Gaps
- Spin Cover: They tried to buy back Rahul Chahar but refused to overpay. Instead, they smartly picked up Praveen Dubey and Vishal Nishad at base price. This ensures Yuzvendra Chahal has support if needed.
- Pace Insurance: Lockie Ferguson is fast but fragile. Buying Ben Dwarshuis (INR 4.40 Cr) was a sensible move. The Australian left-armer brings angle, swing, and experience to the death overs.
- The 'X' Factor: Cooper Connolly (INR 3 Cr) is a classic T20 pick—a young Australian who can bat left-handed, finish games, and bowl spin. He fits perfectly into the "Livingstone" mold of utility players.
PBKS Full Squad 2026
- Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Harnoor Pannu, Priyansh Arya, Suryansh Shedge, Pyla Avinash.
- Wicketkeepers: Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod.
- All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Mitch Owen, Musheer Khan.
- Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Dwarshuis, Yash Thakur, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Xavier Bartlett, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad.
Verdict: A sensible, low-risk auction. They have a settled XI and have now reinforced their bench. They look ready to go one step further and lift the trophy.
4. Gujarat Titans (GT): The Pace Battery Recharged
Status: Rebuilding Overseas Core
Auction Grade: B
Key Buy: Jason Holder (INR 7 Cr)
The Auction Narrative: Pace, Pace, and More Pace
Gujarat Titans entered with a clear mandate: Fix the overseas slots. They needed power and experience. They walked away with a mixed bag but undeniably strengthened their fast bowling stocks.
The Jason Holder War
The highlight of GT's auction was the 26-bid war with CSK for Jason Holder.
- Why Holder? GT needed a seam-bowling all-rounder to balance the side, likely to bat at No. 7 and bowl in the powerplay. At INR 7 Cr, he brings leadership and immense experience, though his T20 form can be volatile.
Indian Pace Domination
GT has quietly assembled arguably the best domestic pace attack in the league.
- Ashok Sharma (INR 90 Lakh): The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy wicket-taking chart-topper was a steal.
- Existing Core: Combine him with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshad Khan, and Kagiso Rabada, and GT has a pace attack that can demolish teams on green tops.
The Backup Brigade
- Tom Banton (INR 2 Cr): A perfect like-for-like backup for Jos Buttler. Explosive, English, and a wicketkeeper.
- Luke Wood (INR 75 Lakh): Another left-arm pace option to support the attack.
GT Full Squad 2026
- Batters: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips.
- Wicketkeepers: Jos Buttler, Tom Banton, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra.
- All-rounders: Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu.
- Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Ashok Sharma, R Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Manav Suthar, Luke Wood, Prithvi Raj Yarra, Arshad Khan, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar.
Verdict: GT’s bowling is world-class. However, their batting relies heavily on Gill and Sudharsan. If the top order fails, the middle order looks slightly thin on power.
5. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): The Late Bloomers
Status: Smart Shoppers with One Big Splurge
Auction Grade: A-
Key Buy: Josh Inglis (INR 8.5 Cr)
The Auction Narrative: Patience Pays Off
LSG had a purse of nearly INR 23 Crore and played the waiting game perfectly. They flirted with big names like Venky Iyer and Pathirana but withdrew when the price got too high. This discipline allowed them to snag incredible value picks later on.
The Steals of the Auction
- Wanindu Hasaranga (INR 2 Cr): How did teams let this happen? Getting a world-class spinner like Hasaranga at base price is the bargain of the decade. He pairs with Ravi Bishnoi (or M Siddharth) to create a spin web.
- Anrich Nortje (INR 2 Cr): Another base-price steal. If Nortje is fit, he is the fastest bowler in the world. Adding him to a lineup with Mayank Yadav and Mohammed Shami makes LSG’s pace attack frighteningly fast.
The Confusing Splurge: Josh Inglis
After being so smart, LSG made a puzzling move by spending INR 8.6 Crore on Australian keeper Josh Inglis, despite reports of his limited availability.
- The Logic: Perhaps they view him as a specialist finisher/keeper for the games he is available, or insurance for Quinton de Kock/Pooran. But it was a heavy price for a part-time asset.
LSG Full Squad 2026
- Batters: Aiden Markram, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Matthew Breetzke, Akshat Raghuwanshi.
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (Captain), Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis, Mukul Choudhary.
- All-rounders: Mitchell Marsh, Arshin Kulkarni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga.
- Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, M Siddharth, Akash Singh, Naman Tiwari, Digvesh Rathi, Arjun Tendulkar.
Verdict: LSG has arguably the most high-profile squad. Pant, Pooran, Marsh, Shami, Mayank, and now Nortje/Hasaranga. If they can manage player availability, they are title favorites.
Comparative Analysis: Who Won Part I?
| Team | Best Buy | Worst Decision | Overall Rating |
| RCB | Venkatesh Iyer (7 Cr) | None visible | 9.5/10 |
| CSK | Rahul Chahar (5.2 Cr) | 28 Cr on Uncapped duo | 6/10 |
| PBKS | Ben Dwarshuis (4.4 Cr) | Missing Rahul Chahar? | 8/10 |
| GT | Ashok Sharma (90 L) | Overpaying Holder? | 7.5/10 |
| LSG | Wanindu Hasaranga (2 Cr) | 8.6 Cr on Inglis | 8.5/10 |
Conclusion
The first part of the IPL 2026 Auction analysis shows a clear divide in strategies. RCB and LSG focused on value, picking up international superstars for pennies. PBKS stuck to their "Retention" guns, believing their 2025 squad was good enough. GT doubled down on pace, while CSK took the biggest gambling risk we have ever seen from the franchise by investing heavily in unknown talent.
As we look forward to the season, all eyes will be on whether CSK's scouting genius pays off or if RCB's smart shopping secures them back-to-back titles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why did RCB buy Venkatesh Iyer?
Ans: RCB bought Venkatesh Iyer to deepen their Indian batting core. As a left-hander who can bowl pace, he provides perfect balance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and serves as a backup to key players. Getting him for just INR 7 Crore was a massive bargain compared to his previous valuation.
Q2: Who are the two expensive uncapped players CSK bought?
Ans: CSK bought wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma and all-rounder Prashant Veer for INR 14.20 Crore each. They are relatively unknown domestic players who CSK scouts believe are future superstars.
Q3: Who is the defending champion in IPL 2026?
Ans: According to the context of this auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) entered the auction as the defending champions of the IPL.
Q4: Which team has the best pace attack after the auction?
Ans: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) looks incredibly dangerous with a pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav, and the newly acquired Anrich Nortje. Gujarat Titans also have a strong claim with Rabada, Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.
Q5: Did CSK buy any New Zealand players?
Ans: Yes, CSK bought pacer Matt Henry (listed as Adam Milne in some drafts but Henry in final list) and all-rounder Zak Foulkes to strengthen their fast bowling stocks.
Q6: Why is Josh Inglis's purchase by LSG considered risky?
Ans: LSG spent INR 8.6 Crore on Josh Inglis despite reports indicating his limited availability for the 2026 season. Spending a large portion of the purse on a player who might miss matches is a high-risk strategy.
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