IPL 2026 Auction: Five All-Rounders Who Earned Big-Money Contracts

In Abu Dhabi, the IPL 2026 auction was a theatre of action, frenzy bidding and bigger-than-britches overseas bids. Franchises splurged ₹215.45 crore to buy 77 players, with multi-skilled all-rounders being the essence of most big buys. Overseas names, in particular, were the cause of some fierce battles as franchises looked to find that balance, keep their options open and do something that had known currency. ​

This blog on Winexchange examines the five overseas all-rounders whose contracts turned heads at the IPL 2026 auction. Each deal illustrates how teams are subtly shifting strategy for the next cycle.

Why Overseas All-Rounders Were Sought After

All-rounders still continue to be the most invaluable assets in T20 cricket as they contribute with both bat and ball. They provide franchises with the freedom to form a side, can play several roles, and can be used more aggressively with specialists. ​

Multi-skilled cricketers are valued even more in 2026, with the IP Rule still influencing strategies. Sides were willing to break the bank for all-rounders who could bat in different spots, bowl in crucial overs and field at a high level. ​

Cameron Green – ₹25.20 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Cameron Green was, as usual, added to the winds, though platforms like Winexch had already called it in Cam’s favour during IPL 2026 Auctions, where he became the most expensive foreign player of IPL 25.20 crore. KKR went all out to secure the Australian’s and beat off competition from Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in a tug-of-war as the price soared beyond ₹25 crore. ​

Green’s profile justified the premium. In the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he scored 707 runs in his 29 IPL matches, averaging over 40 with a strike rate of more than 153, adding one century and two fifties to his name, also picking up 16 wickets as well. His big-hitting power, seam-bowling depth and smart fielding meant he was more than a temporary solution for KKR. ​

Liam Livingstone - Rs 13 Crore (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Liam Livingstone was one of the most dramatic tales of the auction. He did not sell at his first turnout, but came back for the speed round, and a bidding war ensued. Sunrisers Hyderabad finally bagged him for ₹13 crore, having the Lucknow Super Giants hike the bidding to ₹12.80 crore before withdrawing. ​

Livingstone gives you power middle-order and can hit sixes from the word go, also he’s a more than useful option with both his offies and leggies. In SRH’s scheme of things, he bulks up the engine room and is also a sixth bowling option, which helps the franchises prepare their foreign combinations well.

Jason Holder – ₹7 crore (Gujarat Titans)

Jason Holder was in demand for his experience and ability once again. Gujarat Titans snapped up the West Indies all-rounder for ₹7 crore after he was unsold at a base price of ₹2 crores in the latter half of the auction. ​

Holder’s height, carrying bounce and powerplay/death bowling credentials in Indian conditions make him a force to reckon with. His composure and lower-order power-hitting, then, bring both depth and balance to the Gujarat Titans. ​

Ben Dwarshuis – ₹4.40 Crore (Punjab Kings)

Australian left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis made one of the more astonishing leaps in value. He had entered the bid with a base price of ₹1 crore, remained unsold at his opening, before being picked up by Punjab Kings for ₹4.40 crore in the accelerated round. ​

Dwarshuis brings left-arm angle, variations, and late-order hitting that fit well with Punjab’s aggressive style. His ability to adapt to slower pitches and bowl in the middle overs made him an attractive “role-based” pick rather than a pure marquee name.​

Kyle Jamieson – ₹2 Crore (Delhi Capitals)

New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson experienced a delayed but successful auction. Initially unsold, he was eventually picked up by Delhi Capitals for his base price of ₹2 crore in the last phase of the accelerated auction.​

Jamieson offers steep bounce, seam movement, and useful lower-order runs, adding height and variety to Delhi’s attack. Although injuries have interrupted his career in recent years, the Capitals treated him as a high-upside buy at a relatively low risk.​

What These Big Contracts Reveal About IPL Strategy

The IPL 2026 auction reinforced a trend: the high premium that teams are willing to pay for overseas all-rounders who can impact two or three phases of a T20 game. Cameron Green and Liam Livingstone were emblematic of this trend, featuring power-hitting with bowling utility and flexibility on the field.

Franchises also demonstrated more patience and foresight. Several signings, such as Livingstone, Dwarshuis, and Jamieson, came in later rounds, proving that value can appear even after initial snubs. In general, the auction appeared to represent a move toward building the squad for the long term on platforms like Winexch rather than merely running after big names.​

FAQs

1. Which is the most expensive foreign player in ipl 2026 auction?

Cameron Green was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering ₹25.20 crore, the highest ever bid for foreign player in IPL auctions 2026.

2. How many players took part in IPL 2026 auction?

The IPL 2026 auction saw 77 players being sold over the table to franchises.

3. Why were all-rounders fetching such whopping bids by franchises?

All-rounders provide balance and choices, a bit of extra bowling or batting depth.​ Therefore, franchise value them as an ultimate investments.

4. In the IPL 2026 auction, for which team did Liam Livingstone get sold?

Liam Livingstone was eventually picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13 crore after five-times tugging back-and-forth against Lucknow Super Giants. ​

5. Which was the foreign all-rounder who went unsold in the first round of auction but finally got sold?

Yes. Liam Livingstone and Ben Dwarshuis were among those unsold in their first go but found takers in the rapid-fire round along with Kyle Jamieson who was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore at a latter stage.