IPL 2026 Auction: Decoding Team Strategies & Player Wishlists

• The IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi will see 10 franchises compete for 77 available slots, including 31 for overseas players, from a pool of 350.
• Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, with the largest purses, plan to be highly active, targeting key replacements, top-order batters, and utility players.
• Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and Rajasthan Royals are prioritizing specialist spinners, all-rounders, and Indian pacers to fill crucial squad gaps.
• Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru aim to strengthen their top-order batting, acquire overseas wicketkeeper-batters, and bolster pace-bowling depth.
• Teams with limited funds, like Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, will focus on strategic picks such as uncapped Indian players and specific wicketkeeper-batters.

Why It Matters: This explains IPL teams' auction strategies and player targets.