In a move that has caught cricket fans and franchise owners off guard, Quinton de Kock has been added to the IPL 2026 auction list. The BCCI has finalised 350 players for the event, after extensive consultations with all franchise owners. The auction will take place on 16 December at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, starting at 1 PM local time.
Initially, a preliminary list of 1,355 players was shared with franchises, seeking their input on which players should feature in the final auction pool. Following this, 35 additional players were included, with De Kock’s name emerging as the most surprising.
De Kock, who recently retired from international cricket, had scored a sensational century against India in the third ODI at Visakhapatnam. This left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman will be featured in the third slot of the wicketkeeper-batsman category. His base price has been set at INR 1 crore, half of what it was in the previous mega auction, following a below-par performance last season that led to him being released by Kolkata Knight Riders.
Other international stars now available include Travin Mathew, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera, and Dunith Wellalage from Sri Lanka, along with several South Africans and a West Indian player, Akim August. The auction will start with capped players in their respective categories—batsmen, all-rounders, wicketkeeper-batsmen, fast bowlers, and spinners—followed by uncapped player rounds.
This development signals that franchises are keeping a close eye on experienced internationals who can add immediate value to their squads. The inclusion of De Kock, in particular, is expected to trigger a bidding war, given his experience and consistent performances in the IPL.
Indian talents added to the auction include promising names like Sadek Hussain, Vishnu Solanki, Sabir Khan, Brijesh Sharma, Kanishk Chauhan, and several others, reflecting the BCCI’s efforts to balance international stars with domestic talent.
The IPL 2026 auction promises excitement, unexpected twists, and strategic choices, as teams aim to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.