IPL 2026 Auction: Top target players for each team

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction is just around the corner, and all ten franchises will be eager to refine their squads after the highs and lows of the 2025 season. Teams will look to offload underperforming players, plug key gaps, and strengthen their core as they aim for a balanced and competitive setup in the upcoming edition. 

Here are the top players each franchise could target in IPL 2026 mini-auction

Matthew Short - Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The IPL 2025 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will look to retain their dominance but also address a few inconsistencies in their batting order. Australian top-order batter Matthew Short could be a prime target. Despite RCB’s stellar run, the middle-order occasionally faltered, particularly with Liam Livingstone unable to make a strong impact.

Short, who can bat in the middle order or open when required, offers both flexibility and power-hitting. His ability to rotate strike and attack spinners could help RCB maintain their run rate in the middle overs and consolidate their batting depth as they aim for back-to-back titles.