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 Matthew Short (Source: Twitter/X) 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. Cameron Green - Punjab Kings Cameron Green. (Source:X/Twitter) The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been searching for balance for several seasons now. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green could be the player to deliver that stability. He is capable of batting in the top order and bowling crucial overs, and is a complete package. With veteran Glenn Maxwell struggling for form and fitness, Green could be an ideal long-term replacement. His ability to clear the ropes with ease and deliver impactful spells makes him a genuine match-winner. PBKS could look to build their core around him as they chase their first IPL title. Jonny Bairstow - Mumbai Indians Jonny Bairstow The five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are known for assembling power-packed lineups, and Jonny Bairstow fits that philosophy perfectly. Having already played as a temporary replacement in IPL 2025, Bairstow impressed with his attacking intent. A regular feature in leagues worldwide, the England wicketkeeper-batter can be lethal in the powerplay, capable of setting the tone for MI’s innings. With his dual skill set of batting explosiveness and wicketkeeping prowess, Bairstow could provide the edge MI need to reclaim their glory. Matt Henry - Gujarat Titans Matt Henry. (Source -Twitter/X) The Gujarat Titans (GT) might target New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry to reinforce their pace attack. GT struggled to find a consistent overseas pacer, relying heavily on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, while Kagiso Rabada and Karim Janat underperformed. Henry’s ability to consistently clock speeds above 140 km/h and extract bounce makes him a threatening option. His disciplined line-and-length bowling can help GT take early wickets, a department they lacked efficiency in last season. Ben Duckett - Delhi Capitals Ben Duckett (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Delhi Capitals (DC) endured a forgettable 2025 season, largely due to inconsistent starts. Their openers, Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, struggled to find rhythm and maintain a healthy strike rate. England’s Ben Duckett could be the answer to their woes. A naturally aggressive batter, Duckett’s attacking mindset to handle both pace and spin make him an ideal fit for DC’s top order. His versatility across formats and quick adaptability to subcontinental conditions could give Delhi a much-needed boost at the top. William O’Rourke - Lucknow Super Giants Will O'Rourke. (Source:Gettyimages) The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) already have a powerful batting core featuring Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Rishabh Pant. However, they lacked a reliable overseas bowler to complement their attack. Kiwi pacer William O’Rourke, who previously served as a temporary replacement for LSG, could be the right fit. His pace and ability to bowl in the powerplay and death overs make him an excellent addition. O’Rourke’s presence could provide the bowling depth LSG need to balance their explosive batting lineup. Jason Holder - Sunrisers Hyderabad Jason Holder (Source: Getty Images) Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) could look to bring back experience in their lineup by targeting Jason Holder. The seasoned West Indian all-rounder has been a proven performer in the IPL and brings valuable leadership qualities along with his cricketing prowess. With Mohammed Shami struggling for consistency, Holder’s four economical overs and ability to finish games with the bat could make a significant difference. His calmness under pressure can help SRH rebuild their core. Mark Chapman - Kolkata Knight Riders Mark Chapman. (Photo Source: Twitter) The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a mixed 2025 season and could benefit from the inclusion of Mark Chapman. The New Zealand batter has been in fine touch internationally and can provide the top order with much-needed stability. With Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz failing to deliver consistent starts, Chapman’s inclusion could add balance. His ability to score quick runs under pressure could make him a key performer in crunch moments for KKR. Kyle Jamieson - Rajasthan Royals Kyle Jamieson. (Source: IPL) Rajasthan Royals (RR) had strong batting performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, but their bowling attack lacked bite. The inclusion of Kyle Jamieson could solve that issue. The tall Kiwi pacer can extract extra bounce and use his variations effectively. His experience in Indian conditions and ability to contribute handy runs down the order would make him a valuable asset for RR. Narayan Jagadeesan - Chennai Super Kings N Jagadeesan (Photo Source: Instagram/Jagadeesan) After finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be desperate to bounce back. Narayan Jagadeesan could be a clever pick for them in the upcoming mini-auction. CSK’s middle order, featuring Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, and Deepak Hooda, failed to provide stability, often collapsing under pressure. Jagadeesan’s ability to adapt to different batting positions and his wicketkeeping skills make him a dual-utility player.

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IPL 2026 Auction: Top target players for each team

Let us look at the top players that each franchise could target in IPL 2026 mini-auction.

Mark Chapman - Kolkata Knight Riders

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