Sports

New Delhi:The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction concluded with franchises spending heavily on their preferred stars, making it a night of record deals and surprise outcomes. Australia’s Cameron Green emerged as the biggest buy of the auction, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing his services for a massive ₹25.20 crore. However, alongside the big-money signings, the auction also delivered some unexpected snubs. Several well-known and accomplished players failed to attract any bids and remained unsold. Here are five prominent names who went unpicked at the IPL 2026 mini auction: Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia)Explosive Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk surprisingly went unsold despite his aggressive reputation. Entering the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, McGurk has...

Adelaide: Australia has announced its playing XI for the third Test of the Ashes series against England, scheduled to begin on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval. Notably, Usman Khawaja has been left out, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon make their return to the side. Khawaja Omitted Despite Fitness Khawaja, who turns 39 this week, has been a key figure in Australia’s batting lineup. He missed batting in the second innings of the first Test due to a back issue and was unavailable for the second Test. Despite being fully fit now, he has been excluded from the playing XI, raising concerns about his Test career prospects. Cummins and Lyon Back Australia’s captain Pat Cummins returns after missing the first two Tests due to injury. Nathan Lyon also rejoins the team; he was rested fo...

Abu Dhabi: As the IPL 2026 player auction is set to begin in Abu Dhabi, all eyes will be on Mallika Sagar, who will once again take charge as the auctioneer. Known for her expertise in both fine arts and sports auctions, Sagar has become a central figure in orchestrating high-profile sports auctions in India. A Historic and Trailblazing Career Born in Mumbai in 1975, Mallika Sagar has built a career bridging two worlds—fine art and major sports events auctions. Growing up in a business-oriented family, her fascination with auctions was sparked by a book featuring a female auctioneer as the protagonist. This inspiration set her on a path that few in India had ventured before. Sagar pursued her education from Mumbai to Connecticut, later earning a degree in Art History from Bryn Maw...

Brisbane: Just hours before the IPL 2026 auction, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert has sent a powerful reminder to franchises around the world with a breathtaking century in the Big Bash League (BBL)—an innings that could significantly inflate his value at the auction table. Playing for Melbourne Renegades against Brisbane Heat, Seifert unleashed a brutal assault on the bowlers, smashing 102 runs off just 56 balls, studded with 9 fours and 6 towering sixes. His knock completely transformed the complexion of the match and has instantly made him one of the most talked-about overseas players ahead of the auction. A Statement Knock on the Big Stage Opening the innings at Geelong’s Simonds Stadium, Seifert dominated from the outset. Of the team’s first 66 runs, he scored 44 ...

New Delhi: As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, most of the spotlight remains firmly fixed on marquee international names such as Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone and Venkatesh Iyer. Yet, every IPL auction has its own breakout Indian story—and this year, that story could well belong to Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi. At 29, Nabi’s journey has been one of persistence and patience. Despite entering domestic cricket in 2018 and repeatedly registering for the IPL auction, he has so far gone unsold. But consistent performances across formats and growing interest from franchises suggest that his long wait may finally be coming to an end. Dominant Performances Across Formats Auqib Nabi has been in outstanding form in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. In the Ranji Trophy...

New Delhi: The stage is set for the IPL 2026 mini auction, which will take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, beginning at 2:30 PM IST. With team strategies finalised and limited purses in play, franchises are preparing for a tightly contested auction that could shape the course of the upcoming season. A total of 369 players will go under the hammer, including several high-profile names such as Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, and Liam Livingstone. However, with only 77 slots available across all teams, competition is expected to be fierce. 369 Players Shortlisted for the Auction Originally, 1,390 players registered for the IPL 2026 auction. From this pool, 350 players were initially shortlisted. Just ahead of the auction, 19 more players were added, taking the f...

New Delhi: The countdown to the IPL 2026 mini auction has ended, with the first major event of the league’s 19th season set to unfold on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. All ten franchises will enter the auction room with one goal: to plug the remaining gaps in their squads and build a title-contending team. While close to 350 players are part of the auction pool, only 77 cricketers will find a place in IPL 2026. However, a significant group of players will be spared the tension of the auction hammer altogether. These are the 173 cricketers already retained by franchises, whose places in their respective squads are secured well before the auction. The official retention list was released on November 15, giving a clear picture of each team’s core strength, remaining purse...

New Delhi: The IPL mini auction has consistently proven to be as dramatic and competitive as the mega auction, despite franchises operating with relatively smaller purses. Time and again, teams have engaged in intense bidding wars for a select group of players, pushing prices to record levels and, in some cases, even surpassing mega-auction figures. Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, scheduled to be held on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, franchises will be looking to fill 77 available slots. History suggests that while many players go under the hammer quietly, a few names can ignite bidding frenzies that leave the cricketing world stunned. Here are six such cricketers whose market value soared unexpectedly during mini auctions, rewriting IPL auction records. Mitchell ...

New Delhi: Cricket has often been a vehicle of dreams in India, but few stories are as dramatic—and bittersweet—as that of left-arm fast bowler T. Natarajan. His journey reads like a film script: a meteoric rise from poverty to international fame, followed by a sudden fade into obscurity despite immense talent and success. As the IPL 2026 mini auction takes place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, Natarajan’s story serves as a reminder of how unforgiving professional sport can be. Humble Beginnings Born in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Natarajan’s early life was marked by hardship. His father worked as a daily wage labourer, while his mother sold fish by the roadside to support the family. Even arranging two meals a day was often a challenge. Natarajan’s introduction to cricket came...

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 season, setting the stage for another high-profile edition of the world’s most popular T20 league. The tournament will begin on March 26 and conclude on May 31, as decided during a key meeting of IPL franchise officials held in Abu Dhabi. The announcement was made by IPL CEO Hemang Amin just ahead of the highly anticipated auction, scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With the dates now confirmed, franchises have shifted their full focus toward finalizing squad combinations at the auction. Uncertainty Over the Opening Match Venue Traditionally, the IPL opener is hosted at the home ground of the defending champions. However, there is sti...