The Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced that 350 players, including 110 overseas players, will be up for grabs at the upcoming 2026 auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Among these players, 14 are uncapped, and there are a total of 77 spots available, including 31 overseas slots. The highest base price set for players is Rs 2 crore, with 40 players falling into this category.
Interestingly, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will enter the auction with the largest purse, followed by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With other franchises also holding substantial budgets, except for the Mumbai Indians (MI), the auction is expected to be competitive as teams look to strengthen their squads.
In this article, we will highlight five overseas bowlers who are likely to attract big bids in the IPL 2026 auction:
- Matheesha Pathirana
- The Sri Lankan pacer was surprisingly released by the Super Kings in the 2026 retentions. With an impressive record of 47 wickets in 32 IPL matches at an economy rate of 8.68, Pathirana is a sought-after death bowling specialist. He has also excelled in other T20 leagues and international cricket, making him a valuable asset with a base price of INR 2 crore.
- Matt Henry
- New Zealand’s Matt Henry, with 352 international wickets across formats, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having played for Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in previous IPL editions, Henry’s base price of INR 2 crore reflects his quality and consistency in T20 cricket.
- Jacob Duffy
- Another Kiwi pacer in red-hot form, Jacob Duffy, has been a standout performer with 178 wickets in 156 T20 games at an economy rate of 8.35. His recent exploits in international cricket, including a 10-wicket haul against the West Indies, make him an attractive prospect with a base price of INR 2 crore.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a seasoned spinner with 178 wickets across formats, is back in the IPL auction with a base price of INR 2 crore. With experience in various T20 leagues and a solid track record in the IPL, Rahman’s all-round capabilities make him a valuable asset for any team.
- Lungi Ngidi
- South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, with 244 international wickets, is a proven performer in T20 cricket. His previous stints with CSK and RCB in the IPL showcase his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. With a base price of INR 2 crore, Ngidi is expected to garner significant interest at the auction.
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, these overseas bowlers are poised to command attention and potentially secure lucrative deals with franchises looking to bolster their bowling arsenals. With the competition expected to be fierce, it will be intriguing to see how the bidding unfolds for these talented players.
- South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, with 244 international wickets, is a proven performer in T20 cricket. His previous stints with CSK and RCB in the IPL showcase his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. With a base price of INR 2 crore, Ngidi is expected to garner significant interest at the auction.
