IPL 2026: Why Cameron Green’s Auction Price Cannot Cross ₹18 Crore

With the IPL 2026 mini-auction approaching, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to be one of the most sought-after overseas players, with franchises like KKR and CSK preparing for an aggressive bidding contest. However, despite his rising value and past record-breaking figures, Green’s final auction price cannot cross ₹18 crore due to a rule introduced by the IPL last year.

Green’s all-round abilities make him a prized target this season. Kolkata Knight Riders, having released Andre Russell following his retirement, are seeking a powerful batting-allrounder to fill the void. Chennai Super Kings, too, are looking to strengthen their overseas lineup, making Green a natural fit. Mini-auctions have historically seen foreign players fetch massive amounts—Mitchell Starc (₹24.75 crore) and Pat Cummins (₹20.5 crore) being prime examples from the 2024 auction.

Green himself was bought for ₹17.5 crore by Mumbai Indians in 2023, and with strong demand this year, a bidding war is expected. Despite this, his price cannot exceed ₹18 crore—even if the bidding goes higher.

Why Green Cannot Cross the ₹18 Crore Mark

The restriction comes from the IPL’s Maximum Fee Rule, introduced to curb foreign players’ tendency to enter mini-auctions solely to secure inflated contracts. Under this rule:

• An overseas player’s auction salary cannot exceed ₹18 crore at a mini-auction.

• ₹18 crore is aligned with the highest retention bracket that teams used before the 2025 mega auction.

• If the final bid surpasses ₹18 crore, the excess amount will go to the BCCI for player welfare, not to the player.

• Indian players are not affected by this rule; they will continue to receive the full bid amount.

According to the IPL’s clarification:
“Any overseas player’s auction fee at a small auction will be lower than the highest retention price (₹18 crore) and the highest auction price at the big auction.”

This means Green may still trigger a bidding war, but regardless of the final number, his earnings will be capped at ₹18 crore.

With over 1,300 players registered and multiple teams looking to fill key overseas slots, the IPL 2026 mini-auction is expected to be highly competitive when bidding begins.