The Indian Premier League auction in Abu Dhabi witnessed a historic moment on Tuesday as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured the services of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a record breaking ₹25.20 crore.
This acquisition marks the highest bid ever for an overseas player in the history of the league, surpassing previous benchmarks and setting a new tone for player valuations. The intense bidding war that led to this figure was primarily a two-horse race between the Knight Riders and the Chennai Super Kings, with both franchises displaying aggressive intent to bolster their squads with the versatile cricketing talent Green offers.
The auction room was electric as the bidding commenced. Mumbai Indians initially showed interest, but their limited purse forced them to withdraw early. This paved the way for a fierce contest between Kolkata and Chennai. The Super Kings, known for their calculated approach, seemed determined to land the Australian star, pushing the price well beyond the ₹20 crore mark. However, the Kolkata franchise, armed with the largest purse entering the auction, refused to back down. They eventually outlasted their rivals with a final bid of ₹25.20 crore, signaling their clear strategy to rebuild their core with high impact players.
Despite the headline grabbing figure, Cameron Green will not take home the entire amount. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has introduced a new regulation for the 2026 mini auction to maintain financial parity. According to this rule, the maximum fee an overseas player can earn is capped at ₹18 crore. This cap is determined by the lower value between the highest retention price and the highest winning bid at the previous mega auction.
Since the highest retention slab was set at ₹18 crore, Green’s salary will be restricted to this limit. The surplus amount of ₹7.20 crore from the winning bid will be directed towards the BCCI Welfare Fund. This rule was implemented to prevent the inflation of player prices in mini auctions, where supply scarcity often drives bids to unsustainable levels compared to the mega auctions.
Green’s value to the Kolkata Knight Riders cannot be overstated. He brings a rare combination of explosive top order batting and the ability to bowl seam at a lively pace. His presence provides the team with much needed balance, allowing them to be flexible with their team composition. The franchise had been looking for a marquee all rounder to fill the void left by previous squad changes, and Green fits that requirement perfectly. His ability to adapt to different match situations makes him an asset in the T20 format, where multi dimensional players are worth their weight in gold.
While Green stole the spotlight, other notable movements occurred during the initial phase of the auction. South African veteran David Miller was snapped up by the Delhi Capitals for his base price of ₹2 crore, a steal for a player of his experience and finishing prowess. However, several big names such as Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold in the first round, highlighting the ruthless nature of the auction dynamics where current form and team requirements often trump reputation.
The purchase of Cameron Green signifies a bold statement of intent from the Kolkata Knight Riders. They have utilized their financial muscle to secure a premier talent, even with the knowledge that a significant portion of the bid amount will not go to the player. It demonstrates the lengths to which franchises are willing to go to secure match winners who can deliver the trophy. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Green to see if he can justify the colossal faith and capital invested in him.
