The Etihad Arena — adjacent to the picturesque Yas Marina Formula One circuit — was illuminated by football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence only last week.
On Tuesday (December 16, 2025), the iconic venue will once again be at the centre of global sporting attention when franchises splurge lakhs and crores at the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Auction.
Since the IPL’s inception in 2008, the auction has evolved into a spectacle that is followed as keenly as — if not more than — the two-and-a-half months of on-field action that follows in the Indian summer.
Despite divided opinion on whether the auction has lost some of its sheen with stalwarts like Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis either retiring from or opting out of the league, anticipation has been palpable ever since franchise think-tanks began arriving in the United Arab Emirates over the past few days.
Cameron Green is expected to be one of the costliest buys, particularly after the Australia all-rounder confirmed his availability to bowl despite being listed as a batter in the opening set.
Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was released by Chennai Super Kings, could also trigger a bidding war, notwithstanding concerns over his fitness.
Among Indian players, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi — both released after commanding hefty sums last season — will be hoping to inch closer to their previous pay cheques of ₹23.75 crore and ₹11 crore, respectively.
While Mumbai Indians, with the smallest purse (₹2.75 crore), and Punjab Kings, with the fewest slots to fill (four), are likely to play a relatively subdued role, the spotlight is expected to remain on Kolkata Knight Riders and CSK.
Photo credit: The Hindu
Together, the two franchises account for more than 40% of the total auction purse and have opted for significant overhauls after underwhelming IPL 2025 campaigns.
Both could target Green and Venkatesh, though their choices among overseas pacers will be closely watched. CSK, meanwhile, is also in the market for a proven Indian spinner.
Another intriguing subplot is whether Prithvi Shaw finds a second lease of life after going unsold at last year’s mega auction. Shaw is understood to have reached out to multiple franchises, with team owners weighing the balance between his undeniable talent and disciplinary concerns.
Most franchise representatives will participate via teleconference, with Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer set to be the most prominent player present inside the auction room.
Published – December 15, 2025 04:00 pm IST