Cameron Green has rewritten the IPL record books, becoming the most expensive overseas player in the tournament’s history after being snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for $2.77m (£2.09m) ahead of the 2026 season.
The 26-year-old Australia all-rounder, currently part of the Ashes squad facing England, was the centrepiece of a fierce auction battle. Kolkata ultimately outmuscled Chennai Super Kings to secure Green’s signature, after early interest from Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.
Only two players have ever gone for more in IPL history — India stars Rishabh Pant (£2.54m), who joined Lucknow Super Giants, and Shreyas Iyer (£2.51m), who moved to Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 campaign — making Green the third-most expensive purchase overall.
The deal also sees Green eclipse Mitchell Starc as the priciest overseas import the league has known. However, due to the IPL’s mini-auction salary cap for overseas players, Green will personally receive $2.08m (INR 18 crore), with the remaining amount directed by the BCCI towards player welfare initiatives.
Green has previous IPL experience with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru but missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a back injury. His explosive batting, seam bowling and athletic fielding made him a coveted prize for franchises in need of a genuine all-rounder.
Among the English contingent, Liam Livingstone commanded the highest fee, joining Sunrisers Hyderabad for £1.085m. Ben Duckett is set for his IPL debut after Delhi Capitals secured him for around £167,000. Tom Banton and Luke Wood were picked up by Gujarat Titans, while Jordan Cox landed at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Not everyone found a buyer. Jamie Smith, Jonny Bairstow and Gus Atkinson were among the England players left unsold, despite strong recent form.
Eight England players were already locked in for next season, including Jos Buttler (Gujarat), Will Jacks (Mumbai), Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) and Brydon Carse (Sunrisers), all retained by their franchises. Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell stayed on with defending champions RCB, Jamie Overton remained at Chennai, and Sam Curran was traded from Chennai to Rajasthan.
Elsewhere in the auction, Kolkata Knight Riders also spent $1.97m (£1.5m) on Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesa Pathirana, further strengthening their pace attack.
The auction also saw a new benchmark for uncapped Indian players. All-rounder Prashant Veer, 20, and wicketkeeper Kartik Sharma, 19, were both signed by Chennai Super Kings for $1.64m (£1.2m), the highest figures ever paid for uncapped domestic talent.
The 2026 IPL season is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 31, and with deals like Green’s already grabbing headlines, anticipation is building fast.
