Kolkata Knight Riders were the most active team among all 10 franchises at the IPL 2026 auction. They also made the top two most expensive picks at the event, securing Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana.

KKR now have secured the top two most expensive buys of the day - a decisive display of financial might and strategic intent.

The figures – he went at more than 10 an over in the last IPL season – bear that out. Prashant Veer picked after catching the eye in the UP Premier League and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Kartik Sharma and Auqib Nabi also attracting huge bids are sterling displays in domestic tournaments.

Matheesha Pathirana was touted to be one of the biggest picks of the IPL 2026 auction and Kolkata Knight Riders ended up splurging INR 18 crore for the Sri Lankan pacer. Pathirana may not be in the best of form,

Cameron Green has become the highest-priced overseas player in IPL history, snapped up by Kolkata for $4.17 million, but he will receive $3m.

Besides Pathirana, Kolkata also splurged INR 25.20 crore to sign Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. The deal saw Green surpass compatriot Mitchell Starc (INR 24.75 crore) to become the most expensive overseas buy at an IPL auction, following an intense bidding war involving Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.

Cameroon Green, Matheesha Pathirana, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer and Liam Livingstone were the most expensive buys in the Indian Premier League 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi.