BCCI Adds 19 New Players to IPL Auction 2026 Pool, Total Now Stands at 369

Advertisment

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced nineteen more players into the auction list at the last minute. This has increased the total list of players to 369. The total number of player inclusions has been termed unprecedented by the officials of the franchises and BCCI.

Bengal's captain, Abhimanyu Easwaran, is one of the most notable players introduced into the auction list from a domestic background. The list introduced him with a base price of Rs. 30 lakh.

Late Inclusions: Key Additions to the Roster

South Africa's wicket-keeper, Kyle Verreynne, was introduced into the list with a base price of Rs. 1.25 crores. New Zealand's Ben Sears, a medium-fast bowler from New Zealand, is one of the most expensive players introduced into the list at a base price of Rs. 1.50 crores.

Advertisment

This last-minute introduction indicates a very important transition or shift in the scouting process of IPL players, most probably owing to the fact that the franchises are now attempting to reinstate a few players they thought were left out, thereby causing a last-minute administrative delay.

Another overseas player introduced into the list includes a South Africa-based medium-pace all-rounder in Ethan Bosch at Rs. 75 lakhs. A fast bowler from Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani, at a base price of Rs. 75 lakhs, and Virandeep Singh from Malaysia at a base price of Rs. 30 lakhs, were also introduced.

Highest Base Price Category Remains Elite

The maximum base price for bidding has been set at 2 crores. A total of forty top-class players decided to put themselves in the auction for the top base price. The players include some top-class international players, along with some in-demand Indian players. Cameron Green, Devon Conway, and Steven Smith are some of the top international players in this list. Only two Indian players, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi, decided to bid in the top base price bracket.

Advertisment

The strategy is very clear for uncapped Indian players, who, despite their talent, are choosing to bid in the lower base price bracket to attract more bidding. The franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings have the biggest wallets. The start of the most explosive part of the auction will take place in the 2 crore bracket.