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The countdown to the IPL 2026 Mini Auction has begun, and franchises are getting ready to fine-tune their squads for the upcoming season. Scheduled to take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the auction will play a key role in shaping team combinations ahead of IPL 2026.
With limited slots available and varied purse values, each team will enter the auction with a different strategy. Some franchises have enough money to bid aggressively, while others will need to make smart and budget-friendly choices.
Total Slots Available in IPL 2026 Mini Auction
Across all 10 teams, there are 77 vacant slots, including 31 overseas slots. As per IPL rules, each team must have a minimum of 18 players and can include up to 25 players in their squad. This makes every purchase in the mini auction extremely important.
Team-wise Available Slots for IPL 2026 Auction
Below is a look at how many players each team currently has and how many slots are still open:
| Team | Players in Squad | Overseas Players | Overseas Slots Available | Total Slots Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 17 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 16 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 17 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 20 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 12 | 2 | 6 | 13 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 19 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 21 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 16 | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 15 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 20 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
Kolkata Knight Riders have the highest number of available slots, giving them flexibility to rebuild their squad, while Punjab Kings have the fewest slots, meaning they will be very selective in their picks.
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Also Read: IPL Mini Auction 2026: What Is the BCCI Tie-Breaker Rule?
Team-wise Remaining Purse for IPL 2026 Mini Auction
The remaining purse will heavily influence bidding strategies during the auction. Here’s how much money each team has left:
| Team | Spent Purse (₹ Crore) | Remaining Purse (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 108.6 | 16.4 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 81.6 | 43.4 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 103.2 | 21.8 |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | 112.1 | 12.9 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 60.7 | 64.3 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 102.05 | 22.95 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 113.5 | 11.5 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 108.95 | 16.05 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 99.5 | 22.5 |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 122.25 | 2.75 |
Kolkata Knight Riders enter the auction with the largest remaining purse, giving them a strong advantage. In contrast, Mumbai Indians have the lowest purse, which means they will likely focus on value buys rather than big names.
What to Expect from the IPL 2026 Auction?
The IPL 2026 Mini Auction is expected to be a battle of smart decision-making rather than big spending. Teams with large purses will look to fill multiple gaps, while teams with limited budgets will aim to find underrated and impactful players.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Auction Details: Date, Time, Player List, Format & Team Purses
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