5 players with ₹2 crore base price who are likely to go unsold at IPL 2026 auction

The IPL 2026 auction is all set to be held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16 A total of 350 players who will go under the hammer during the mini-auction. A maximum of 77 slots can be filled up by the 10 franchises combined, with 31 spots being reserved for overseas players.

As many as 1,390 players had registered for the IPL 2026 auction, with the final list being pruned to 350. Of the players shortlisted for the auction, 240 are Indian players, while 110 are overseas cricketers. The list featured 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players. Further, the pool includes 16 capped Indian cricketers and 96 capped overseas cricketers.

Yet again, ₹2 crore has been set as the highest reserve price for the auction. Forty players have listed themselves in the highest base price category of ₹2 crore. In this feature, we look at five players with ₹2 crore base price who might go unsold at the IPL 2026 auction.

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#1 Steve Smith (Australia)

Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith has played over 100 matches in the IPL. However, he hasn't featured in the Indian T20 league since 2021, when he represented the Delhi Capitals (DC). In 103 IPL games, Smith has scored 2,485 runs at an average of 34.51 and a strike rate of 128.09. In his overall T20 career as well, Smith has a strike rate of just under 130.

In an era where a strike rate of 150-plus is considered more or less a must for a batter in T20s, Smith seems to have fallen way back in the pecking order. The 36-year-old has a significantly better strike rate of 147.11 in the Big Bash League (BBL). Even so, it is unlikely that franchises are going to show interest in him during the IPL 2026 auction.

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#2 Jason Holder (West Indies)

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder was once a big draw in the IPL. In the 2022 auction, he was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8.75 crore. Then, in 2023 auction, he was bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ₹5.75 crore. The 34-year-old has played 46 IPL matches in which he has claimed 53 wickets and has scored 259 runs.

However, Holder hasn't featured in the IPL post the 2023 season after he failed to perform consistently. He had an economy rate of over nine in 2022 and again in 2023. This is primarily why franchises haven't been keen on picking the seasoned West Indies cricketer. There is a high possibility of him going unsold again.

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#3 Tom Banton (England)

There was a time a few years ago when Tom Banton's name was making waves on the T20 circuit. On the back of some spectacular batting efforts, he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹1 crore at the IPL 2020 auction. However, Banton only played two matches during the season in which he scored 18 runs. The England cricketer has not featured in the IPL since.

In the ongoing, ILT20, the 27-year-old keeper-batter has scored 101 runs in four innings for MI Emirates at an average of 25.25 and a strike rate of 129.48. He has failed to grab his chances for England as well. While Banton has again registered his name in the IPL 2026 auction for ₹2 crore, he is unlikely to find any bidders.

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#4 Matt Henry (New Zealand)

Seasoned New Zealand pacer Matt Henry has played only six matches in the IPL. He made his debut in the T20 league back in 2017, playing two matches for Punjab Kings (PBKS). The right-arm pacer then represented LSG in the 2024 season, claiming one wicket in four matches.

While Henry has played 174 T20 games and has an impressive record, he has only featured in 31 T20Is for New Zealand in a career spanning more than a decade. He is a canny customer without doubt, but is prone to injuries, which is one reason why franchises have been apprehensive of picking him.

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#5 Josh Inglis (Australia)

Australia's dashing wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis had a decent season for PBKS in IPL 2025 as the franchise finished runners-up. He scored 278 runs in 11 innings at an average of 30.88 and a strike rate of 162.57, with a best of 73. Inglis contributed a blazing 39 off 23 in the final in a losing cause. He was, however, released as he is likely to be unavailable for most of the 2026 season.

As per a report in Cricbuzz, while Inglis has registered for the upcoming auction in the ₹2 crore category, he is likely to be available for only four matches. As per some media reports, Inglis is unlikely to be available for the full season next year as he is planning to get married.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert