NEW DELHI: The IPL player list for the 2026 mini-auction is out, and it comes with plenty of surprises. As usual, the maximum base price remains Rs 2 crore, but what caught everyone's attention is that only two Indians players out of 40 have chosen to list themselves in the highest bracket.

Venkatesh Iyer, bought for Rs 23.75 crore before being released by Kolkata Knight Riders, has listed himself at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Ravi Bishnoi - retained last year for Rs 11 crore but released by Lucknow Super Giants - has also entered the auction at the Rs 2 crore bracket.

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350 cricketers to go under the hammer

A total of 350 cricketers, including 240 Indians, will go under the hammer at the IPL auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16, with South Africa's returning star Quinton de Kock a surprise late addition to the final list.

Wicketkeeper-batter De Kock, who recently came out of his ODI retirement, has been kept at a base price of Rs 1 crore. The list also includes Australia batter Steve Smith at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Smith last played in the IPL in 2021.

77 spots up for grabs

A total of 1,390 players registered for the Player Auction. The number was pruned to 1,005 players before 350 were finally shortlisted to battle for 77 slots available including 31 for overseas players, across the 10 teams for the 19th edition of the world's biggest T20 league.

KKR have the biggest purse

Kolkata Knight Riders enter the auction with the biggest purse - Rs 64.30 crore - and 13 slots to fill, including six overseas spots. Chennai Super Kings follow with Rs 43.4 crore and nine vacancies. Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have won the IPL once, have the third highest purse of Rs 25.5 crores.