IPL 2026 Auction team needs: What every franchise is looking to buy – Sportstar

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Updated : Dec 10, 2025 12:27 IST – 4 MINS READ
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Teams could break the bank on Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green at the IPL auction. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library
What does each IPL team actually need at the 2026 auction? This is a team-wise breakdown of exact squad gaps, positional priorities, and non-negotiable buys for every franchise.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Overseas all-rounder, pace-bowling backup
CSK’s biggest hole is the departure of Sam Curran, which leaves it without a genuine overseas seam-bowling all-rounder. With a healthy auction purse, CSK is well-positioned to go hard for a power-hitting middle-order all-rounder such as:
Liam Livingstone
Cameron Green
It also requires a seam-bowling backup for Nathan Ellis, particularly given workload management across a long season.
Delhi Capitals (DC) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Top-order batters, overseas reinforcements
DC enters the auction light at the top after releasing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Faf du Plessis. Its immediate need is a top-order batter (Indian or overseas) who can stabilise the PowerPlay.
Equally critical is its overseas player shortage. With only three overseas slots currently occupied, DC is structurally forced to add multiple foreign players across roles, not just one marquee pick.
Gujarat Titans (GT) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Finisher, all-round depth
With Sherfane Rutherford no longer in the squad, GT lacks a dedicated finisher. Its middle-to-lower order is now heavy on accumulators and light on boundary-hitters.
GT could also benefit from at least one all-rounder to regain the flexibility that defined its title-winning season.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Wicketkeeper, opener, all-rounder
KKR’s auction will be among the busiest and most consequential:
With one of the largest auction purses, KKR is structurally equipped to rebuild its spine across all three departments rather than chasing a single headline buy.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Middle-order power, spin replacement, all-rounder
LSG must replace:
David Miller in the finishing role
Ravi Bishnoi in the frontline spin department
Those two exits hit both ends of the innings. Beyond direct replacements, LSG is also actively in the market for an all-rounder to provide balance across phases.
Mumbai Indians (MI) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Depth only, not stars
With just Rs. 2.75 crore in hand, MI is effectively priced out of any marquee names. Structurally, its squad is already well-covered across departments. Expect only base-price or uncapped signings to fill injury or availability gaps.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Minimal, squad largely settled
Punjab’s first XII is relatively settled and with only Rs. 11.5 crore in the purse, it is unlikely to drive the auction narrative. Expect:
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Spinners, experienced fast bowler
RR’s most glaring hole is spin. It has released:
RR is currently left with Ravindra Jadeja as the primary spin option, which is an unsustainable imbalance across venues like Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur.
It is also expected to target an experienced Indian or overseas fast bowler to strengthen the new-ball attack.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Overseas fast-bowling backup, Indian pace cover
RCB’s bowling depth is under quiet threat due to workload and injury risk:
Having already been ruled out of the Ashes, Josh Hazlewood could be stretched with a T20 World Cup on the horizon
Yash Dayal has not played since the IPL 2025 final
RCB will almost certainly look for an overseas fast-bowling backup and a domestic seamer who can step in.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Auction Strategy 2026
Primary needs: Spinners, all-rounder, Indian fast bowler
With Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar released, SRH is critically short in the spin department. Pacer Mohammed Shami has been released as well. SRH needs:
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Published on Dec 10, 2025
IPL 2026 /
IPL AUCTION /
Indian Premier League
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