Top 5 Most Expensive Overseas Players of IPL 2026 mini-auction ft. Mustafizur Rahman

Overseas players have really not lured the teams this time around in the mini-auction. Except for some of the most obvious names, Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana were the only names that got the much-anticipated reception. 

Some of the finest players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jonny Bairstow, Jamie Smith, Lungi Ngidi and several other key players have gone unsold. Kolkata Knight Riders looked like a very loaded side, and most of the expensive and fruitful overseas bids went to them. 

Here are the 5 Most Expensive Overseas Players of the IPL 2026 mini-auction:

5. Josh Inglis - INR 8.40 crores - Lucknow Super Giants

The Australian wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis is often considered one of the busiest players in the shortest format of the game. Inglis was released by the Punjab Kings after he informed the management of his limited availability for the upcoming season. 

Despite his limitations, Tom Moody, the LSG mentor, did not hesitate to bid on the Australian. Inglis was also on the books for the Sunrisers Hyderabad; however, LSG grabbed them with a fairly larger purse during the time of the bid.  

4. Mustafizur Rahman - INR 9.20 crores - Kolkata Knight Riders

Another shocking bid, which almost took the entire room by shock, would have surely been the Bangladesh seamer. Though Mustafizur Rahman's abilities can never be put under scrutiny, as he is one of the finest death bowling options due to his variations and misery at giving away runs. 

The Bangladesh bowler was a tough fight between the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders before the Knights had him as their third-highest of the night. Mustafizur, for a whopping INR 9.20 crore, went to the Knight Riders. The only concern with him would be that KKR would find it very difficult to make way for him in the 4 reserved spots for overseas cricketers. 

3. Liam Livingstone - INR 13 crores - Sunrisers Hyderabad 

The English all-rounder was expected to be one of the fanciest auction bids in the mini-auction; however, when the entire house ignored him, and he went unsold during the first round, it took the cricket fraternity by shock. He was also not named for the first Accelerated auction. 

Livingstone was then picked by the Sunrisers Hyderabad during the second accelerated auction. Lucknow Super Giants floated his price upto the extent their purse permitted, and hence he went for a whopping INR 13 crores to the Sunrisers. 

2. Matheesha Pathirana - INR 18 crores - Kolkata Knight Riders

One of the most highly regarded players coming into this auction, the Sri Lankan pacer has been an eminent part of CSK's death bowling over the last two seasons. Pathirana is quick and is often a threat in the death overs. 

The Kolkata Knight Riders looked determined to strengthen their pace attack this time, and to them, the likes of Pathirana could finally be the replacement for Mitchell Starc. However, Pathirana has never been spotted bowling with the new ball. KKR had him for INR 18 crores. 

1. Cameron Green - INR 25.20 crores - Kolkata Knight Riders

The name needs no introduction after today, as he became the costliest player of overseas origin in the history of the IPL. Green was sold to the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 25.20 crores, which took him past Mitchell Starc to be the highest-paid player for the Knight Riders as well. 

Other Overseas Players Sold

Several other overseas players also seemed significant, as they drew some greater amounts but mostly during the accelerated rounds. Jason Holder was sold for INR 7 crores, while Ben Dwarshius, Pathum Nissanka and Cooper Conolly followed with INR 4.40, 4 and 3 crores, respectively.

Jack Edwards, the big-hitting Australian all-rounder, got his maiden IPL contract in the form of a 3 crore deal from the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Several players were sold for their base price of INR 2 crores, which included some big names like David Miller, Ben Duckett and Rachin Ravindra. Wanindu Hasaranga, Finn Allen and Anrich Nortje were among others chipping in cheaply for the franchises. 

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