Tue Dec 16 05:54:48 UTC 2025: ## Green Becomes Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL History as Bidding Wars Erupt in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, December 16, 2025 – Australian all-rounder Cameron Green made history today, becoming the most expensive overseas player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured his services for a staggering ₹25.2 crore after a fierce bidding war with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the IPL 2026 mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi.

The auction saw 350 players shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,390, vying for 77 available slots across the 10 teams. While KKR splashed out on Green, the Mumbai Indians (MI), with a significantly smaller purse, focused on scouting uncapped players.

Despite the high price tag for Green, new IPL rules cap the amount an overseas player can actually earn at a mini-auction at ₹18 crore, a measure introduced to protect the value of Indian players and discourage inflated bids for foreign talent.

Other notable moments from the auction included KKR also securing Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana for ₹18 crore after another intense bidding war. Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹7 crore, and Anrich Nortje went to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for his base price of ₹2 crore. Unsold players include Jonny Bairstow, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, K.S. Bharat and Deepak Hooda.

Ahead of the auction, analysts had predicted leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi could be the most expensive Indian player. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan highlighted Matheesha Pathirana, Gerald Coetzee and Ashok Sharma as top international fast bowlers to watch.

The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 31, promising another exciting edition of the world’s biggest T20 league.

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