The IPL 2026 auction will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. As teams prepare for the auction, they are assessing their needs and strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the current squad compositions, available purse amounts, and areas that each team intends to address during the auction.
Key Facts and Team Needs for IPL 2026 Auction
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Players Retained: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 43.40 crore
Slots Remaining: 9 (4 overseas)
- Primary Target: An elite overseas all-rounder or finisher.
- Considering previous unsuccessful bids, they may seek fast bowlers to fill the gap left by Matheesha Pathirana.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Players Retained: Nitish Rana, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 21.80 crore
Slots Remaining: 8 (5 overseas)
- Primary Target: A reliable opener to support KL Rahul.
- DC also needs backup options for fast bowlers T Natarajan and Mitchell Starc.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Players Retained: Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 12.90 crore
Slots Remaining: 5 (4 overseas)
- Primary Target: Middle-order batters or finishers.
- They may look for overseas bowling options to support Kagiso Rabada.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Players Retained: Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 64.30 crore
Slots Remaining: 13 (6 overseas)
- Primary Target: An explosive overseas opener.
- They may also require fast bowlers to strengthen their bowling attack.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Players Retained: Rishabh Pant, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 22.95 crore
Slots Remaining: 6 (4 overseas)
- Primary Target: An overseas finisher to replace David Miller.
- Backup Indian bowlers are also needed due to injuries in their roster.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Players Retained: Jos Buttler, Ravindra Jadeja, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 16.05 crore
Slots Remaining: 9 (1 overseas)
- Primary Target: An Indian or overseas wristspinner to partner with Jadeja.
- The team may consider young talents if they can’t secure experienced bowlers.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Players Retained: Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 16.40 crore
Slots Remaining: 8 (2 overseas)
- Primary Target: An experienced fast bowler and spinner to bolster the squad.
- They may look to fill gaps left by released players.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Players Retained: Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins, and others.
Purse Remaining: INR 11.50 crore
Slots Remaining: 4 (2 overseas)
- Primary Target: An all-rounder and middle-order batter.
- They might focus on targeted bowlers with strong defensive skills.
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, teams are keen to enhance their rosters. Each squad is strategizing to fill key positions to boost their chances for success in the upcoming season.
