Historic Bid in Abu Dhabi
Australia’s all‑rounder Cameron Green has rewritten the record books of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi, Green’s name sparked an intense bidding war before Kolkata Knight Riders clinched him for 252 million rupees.
Surpassing Starc’s Benchmark
This figure edges past the previous overseas record of 247.5 million rupees paid for Mitchell Starc in 2024. Yet, due to the rupee’s sharp fall against the U.S. dollar this month, Starc’s deal still carried a higher dollar value, $2.98 million compared to Green’s $2.77 million.
Salary Cap and Distribution
Despite the headline figure, Green’s personal salary is capped at 180 million rupees ($1.98 million) under the IPL’s new “maximum fee” rule. The remainder of the bid amount will go directly to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Ranking Among Top Players
Green now stands as the third most expensive player in IPL history, behind India’s Rishabh Pant (270 million rupees) and Shreyas Iyer (267.5 million rupees). At 26, he has already scored 707 runs in 29 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He missed the 2025 season due to a back injury but is currently active in the Ashes series against England.
Auction Surprises
The auction also delivered shocks: Australia’s Jake Fraser‑McGurk and England’s Liam Livingstone went unsold, though their names may resurface if franchises reopen bidding.
IPL’s Growing Business Value
The financial muscle of the IPL continues to expand. According to Dawn, U.S. investment bank Houlihan Lokey has valued the league at $18.5 billion, underscoring its position as one of the most lucrative sporting competitions worldwide.