IPL 2026 Mini Auction: Slots Available For KKR, CSK, MI, RCB, SRH, GT, DC, RR, PBKS, LSG - Check

With the IPL 2026 mini auction fast approaching, franchises are finalising their strategies based on two key factors: available purse and remaining squad slots. While some teams have left multiple vacancies to overhaul their squads, others are heading into the auction with limited room, focusing only on fine-tuning their combinations.

Here’s a look at the team-wise remaining slots ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction.

Teams with Maximum Slots to Fill

Kolkata Knight Riders (13 slots)
KKR have the highest number of vacant slots among all teams. With significant squad space available, the franchise is expected to be one of the most active participants, targeting both marquee names and depth options.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (10 slots)
SRH also enter the auction with double-digit vacancies, giving them flexibility to strengthen multiple departments, particularly overseas combinations and bench depth.

Mid-Range Slot Availability

Chennai Super Kings (9 slots)
CSK have several positions open but are likely to focus on smart, role-specific buys rather than a complete rebuild, given their settled core.

Rajasthan Royals (9 slots)
RR have equal room to manoeuvre and may look to add young Indian talent alongside experienced overseas players.

Delhi Capitals (8 slots)
DC will aim to plug gaps across batting and bowling while maintaining balance, with eight slots available.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (8 slots)
RCB’s auction strategy is expected to be selective, targeting bowlers and finishers to complement their existing top-heavy lineup.

Teams with Limited Slots

Lucknow Super Giants (6 slots)
LSG have fewer vacancies and are expected to prioritise quality signings who can walk straight into the playing XI.

Gujarat Titans (5 slots)
With most of their squad already settled, GT will likely focus on backups and injury replacements.

Mumbai Indians (5 slots)
MI head into the auction with minimal openings, suggesting a conservative approach centred on budget buys and squad depth.

Punjab Kings (4 slots)
PBKS have the least number of available slots, meaning their auction plans will be highly targeted, with little room for experimentation.

IPL 2026: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ben Sears, Ethan Bosch Among Late Additions To Auction List

Bengal opening batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been on the verge of international debut on a couple of occasions, along with New Zealand pacer Ben Sears and South Africa's Ethan Bosch, are among the late additions made to the auction list for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on Monday night.  

Easwaran, who was part of the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2024-25 season, was included in the list of 19 players that were added to the list. Ethan, brother of South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch, has played one ODI for South Africa, while Ben Sears has appeared for the Black Caps in one Test and four ODIs so far.

The list also includes Virandeep Singh of Malaysia and Chris Green of Australia, besides Kyle Verreyanne of South Africa and Blessing Muzarabani of Zimbabwe, another international player, who will be part of the auction, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

It also has some uncapped players, mostly from India, including Kerala wicketkeeper-batter K.L. Shrijith. The addition of these 19 names takes the total players in the auction pool to 369.

The spotlight will be on the likes of Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, and Ravi Bishnoi as ten franchises gear up for the IPL 2026 auction, set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. It will mark the third straight time of an IPL auction happening outside India after Dubai (2024) and Jeddah (2025).

All ten teams are expected to loosen their purse strings in pursuit of marquee talent and have a squad that can win the IPL 2026 trophy. A total of 77 slots are available, including 31 for overseas players.

From a longlist of 1,355 players, 359 have been shortlisted – 244 Indian and 115 overseas. Forty players have entered at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore, with Bishnoi and Venkatesh Iyer the only Indians in that group.

Green, Australia’s seam-bowling all-rounder, is expected to be the biggest draw, thanks to the skewed demand-supply ratio in a mini IPL auction, with bids for him projected to cross Rs 25 crore.

Apart from Bishnoi and Green, the England duo of Liam Livingstone and Jamie Smith, along with NZ pacer Matt Henry, keeper-batter Tim Seifert, and South Africa batter David Miller, are also likely to attract strong interest from all ten teams, as is Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was let go of by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 

Strategic Balance Ahead of the Auction

The variation in remaining slots highlights the contrasting approaches of franchises, from aggressive rebuilding to fine-tuning a settled core. As the auction unfolds, teams with more flexibility could dominate the bidding, while those with limited slots will need precision over spending power.

The IPL 2026 mini auction promises a tactical battle where every slot counts, and smart squad building could define the upcoming season.