The final shortlist for the IPL 2026 auction has been officially released, and it features 350 players. This is a major cut from the much larger longlist that teams first submitted. Out of these 350 cricketers, 240 are Indians and 110 are overseas players, and teams together have 77 total slots to fill, including 31 slots for foreign players. With such limited spaces available, competition among players is expected to be intense.

One of the biggest talking points in the shortlist is the inclusion of Quinton de Kock, who was not part of the earlier list. His name was added later after a franchise specifically requested it, especially since he has been performing well lately, including scoring a century against India. De Kock has set his base price at ₹1 crore, making him one of the major overseas attractions in the auction.

Another headline name is Cameron Green, who is expected to be one of the most expensive buys this year. He features in the first set of capped batters and will be auctioned early, along with players like Devon Conway, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and David Miller. Several teams are likely to target Green because of his batting power and his usefulness as a pace-bowling all-rounder.

The auction will begin with the category of capped players, including batters, all-rounders, wicketkeepers, fast bowlers, and spinners. Once around seventy players have been presented, the auction will move into an accelerated phase. In this stage, the remaining players will be taken up quickly, and teams can also request the auctioneer to bring back any unsold players for another chance. This helps franchises adjust strategies based on their remaining purse and squad needs.

Overall, the IPL 2026 auction promises exciting battles between teams for top talent, surprise picks, and big-money signings. Many well-known names are returning to the list, and with only limited spots open, every bid will matter.