IPL 2026 Auction: Cameron Green becomes most expensive overseas signing in history

Cameron Green shattered all records to become the most expensive overseas signing in the history of the Indian Premier League auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurged INR 25.20 crore at the mini auction to shatter Mitchell Starc's record. Notably, KKR themselves had bought Starc at the IPL 2024 mini auction after paying INR 24.75 crore.

2026 will only be Green's third season in the IPL. He was signed by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 17.50 crore at the IPL 2023 auction and enjoyed a stellar season for them. He aggregated 452 runs in 16 games, averaging 452 runs at a strike rate of 160.28, including a century and two fifties.

MI traded him to Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2024, but the batting allrounder wasn't quite able to replicate the same performance. In 13 games for RCB, Green accumulated 255 runs at an average of 31.87 and a strike rate of 143.25. He also bagged 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.61.

Top three most expensive overseas signings in IPL history

Interestingly, though, Green can only bag a total sum of INR 18 crore, despite the winning bid being INR 25.20 crore.

It is due to the maximum fee rule that came into effect last year after several franchises raised a collective concern that certain foreign players were only registering at the mini auction to bag a hefty paycheck and avoid the intense competition that comes with registering at the mega auction.

The remaining INR 7.20 crore will be used by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to support player welfare programs.

Meanwhile, Green is currently playing for Australia in the Ashes and has been batting in the middle order and also supporting their pace battery by chipping in with crucial overs.