IPL 2026: Top 3 oldest players in the auction

The IPL 2026 auction will be held on December 16 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. A total of 359 cricketers form part of the pool, including  244 Indian and 115 overseas players. While the focus, as always, will be on emerging talent, a handful of old warhorses are pushing hard in the final lap of their careers.

Let’s take a look at three oldest players at IPL 2026 auction:

1. Richard Gleeson (38 years and 14 days)

At 38, England’s pacer Richard Gleeson is one of the senior-most overseas stars in the 2026 auction. A late bloomer, Gleeson did not make his professional debut until the age of 27 and earned his maiden England cap only at 34.

His last appearance in the IPL was with Chennai Super Kings in 2024, when he played two matches for the franchise. He subsequently shifted to Mumbai Indians, as the franchise roped him in as a replacement player during the playoffs. His experience and ability to hit hard lengths could make the franchises take notice and add depth to their bowling arsenal with his addition.

2. Umesh Yadav (38 years and 52 days)

India pacer Umesh Yadav is another high-profile veteran listed at this year’s auction. Yadav, renowned for his express pace and ability to move the ball, might not be at the peak of his powers, but he has enough to pack a punch even at 38. Known for adeptness on Indian pitches, Umesh has been a regular presence at IPL over the years. Umesh has 144 wickets at an economy of 8.49 in 148 matches in the tournament.

His best season came in 2018, when he bagged 20 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while he also had a memorable time with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022 with 16 strikes to his name in the season. After missing the 2025 auction due to fitness reasons, the 38-year-old has registered at a base price of INR 1.5 crore for IPL 2026.

3. Jalaj Saxena (39 years and 1 day)

Jalaj Saxena is the oldest player in the IPL 2026 auction. Listed at a modest base price of INR 40 lakh, Saxena brings a wealth of experience with him and will add immense balance to any squad he goes to.

Saxena has had an exceptional Ranji Trophy career, being the first cricketer to achieve the double of 6,000 runs and 400 wickets. He has close to 500 wickets in first-class cricket and over 7,000 runs, highlighting his brilliance as an all-rounder. While he has not had enough opportunities in IPL, his all-round prowess and versatility make him a dependable option.