Everyone is busy talking about Cameron Green and Venkatesh Iyer. But the real drama of an IPL auction is never about the obvious names; it's about those unexpected picks who trigger bidding wars out of nowhere. Here are five players who could stun the room and walk away with massive price tags at the IPL 2026 Auction.
Matt Henry
Most fans may not realise it yet, but Matt Henry could be one of the biggest surprises this year. A top-ranked New Zealand pacer with 40 wickets in 31 T20Is, Henry brings accuracy, movement, and big-match temperament. And if the early whispers are true, CSK is preparing to go all-in for him. If that happens, expect his price to shoot beyond anyone’s predictions.
Akash Madhwal
Remember Akash Madhwal? The man who ripped apart the batters with that iconic spell of 5 wickets for 5 runs in the 2023 Eliminator. He hasn’t had too many opportunities in the last two seasons, but he’s back in the mini auction with a base price of just ₹30 lakh. At that number?
Cue the bidding war. Teams love to bargain pacers with a proven death-overs pedigree, and Madhwal is exactly that.
Pathum Nissanka
Pathum Nissanka isn’t just in form; he’s on fire. His last 3 ILT20 knocks read: 56, 67, 81, all struck at close to a 200 strike rate. Add his unforgettable Asia Cup hundred against India, and you have a white-ball beast waiting to be unleashed in the IPL. With a base price of ₹75 lakh, he could be one of the smartest and most explosive investments of this auction.
David Miller
There’s nothing “surprising” about David Miller’s talent, but the size of his bid might still shock people. A proven finisher, a match-winner, a player who flips games in minutes; Miller brings all the qualities that franchises crave. His ₹2 crore base price is not just justified, it’s almost a steal considering the impact he still carries.
Prithvi Shaw
Many will question why an unsold player from last year features in this list. Simple: Mini auctions work on chaos, recency, and opportunity. Shaw’s name will appear in the first batch of players, right when franchises are eager to spend. And rumours already suggest that KKR are planning to go big on him. Sometimes a shift in momentum is all a player needs, and Shaw might just be the shock story of 2026.
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