BCCI Trims IPL 2026 Auction List To 350 Players
The BCCI has announced a major cut to the player pool ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Out of 1,355 players who had originally registered, only 350 have been shortlisted for the event. The remaining 1,005 names were removed after consultations with franchises and based on auction requirements. The auction is scheduled to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
Surprise Names Added
Alongside the reduction, a set of 35 players have been added to the final auction list even though they were not part of the initial registration. One of the most notable additions is Quinton de Kock, who has made a surprise return to the auction list. The wicketkeeper-batter is expected to attract interest and has a base price set at ₹1 crore.
Competition For Limited Slots
Teams will have 77 slots available to fill across 10 franchises. With only 350 players entering the bidding, competition is expected to be intense, especially for specialist roles and all-round options. The auction will start with capped players, followed by uncapped players, and then accelerated rounds.
Retentions Completed
Before the auction list was finalised, teams completed their retention exercise. A total of 173 players were retained across franchises. The remaining players will now look to find squads through the auction, where budgets and strategy will play a key role.
