The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction has taken a fresh twist as the BCCI added nine new names to the player pool just days before the event in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier on Tuesday, the board had confirmed a shortlist of 350 players from more than 1,300 registrations. By the evening, a revised and expanded roster was released, pushing the final tally to 359 players.
🌍 Virandeep Singh — The Only Associate Nation Player
Among the late additions, Malaysia’s Virandeep Singh stands out as the sole cricketer from an Associate nation in the final pool. His inclusion adds a unique international flavour, with the IPL having a history of featuring occasional Associate stars.
🔥 Swastik Chikara Returns to Auction
Another noteworthy name is Swastik Chikara, part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning squad last season. After being released, he now re-enters the auction and could attract interest as a budget-friendly domestic pick.
🇮🇳 Six New Indian Entrants
The following Indian players have been newly added to the auction roster:
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Manisankar Murasingh (Tripura)
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Chama Milind (Hyderabad)
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K.L. Shrijith (Karnataka)
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Rahul Raj Namala (Uttarakhand)
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Virat Singh (Jharkhand) – previously featured in the IPL
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Swastik Chikara
🌐 Two Overseas Additions
The final batch also includes two foreign pros:
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Chris Green (Australia) – experienced T20 all-rounder, IPL return
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Ethan Bosch (South Africa) – making his maiden IPL auction appearance
📊 Final Auction Numbers
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Total players: 359
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Indians: 247
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Overseas: 112
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Expected to be sold: 77 players
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31 overseas slots
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Remaining Indian positions
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With most squads nearly settled after the retention window, competition for the remaining slots is expected to be fierce.
💰 Teams With the Biggest Purses
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Kolkata Knight Riders: ₹64.30 crore, 13 slots open
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Chennai Super Kings: ₹43.40 crore, 9 slots open
As franchises prepare their final strategies and new talents join the mix, the anticipation around the IPL 2026 auction continues to rise.
