\nKolkata Knight Riders<\/a> and
\nChennai Super Kings<\/a> have massive purse and a lot of vacancies while some teams like Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians are mostly settled with tight purse.<\/p>\n
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD<\/p>\n
While names like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone and a lot of other capped Indian talent are set to take big money, here is a list of five players who could be surprise buys and have the potential to light up the tournament if they play.<\/p>\n
Also Read |\u00a0\u00a0 Pathum Nissanka The Sri Lankan opener has never been picked up in the IPL but this could be his year. Nissanka is in stunning form and he showed his quality against India in the Asia Cup when his stunning century almost helped Sri Lanka chase down 203. He has been in amazing form in the ongoing ILT20 where he is currently the top scorer. With a lot of teams looking for top-order options, Nissanka could finally get a break in the IPL.<\/p>\n Sarfaraz Khan<\/p>\n Sarfaraz has been ignored at the auction for the last two seasons but his recent form might help him get a team for the next edition. Since lighting up the IPL almost a decade ago for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sarfaraz\u2019s T20 numbers have consistently dipped. Although, he is looking to turn things around and has been Jordan Cox<\/p>\n Jordan Cox provides the much-needed impetus! \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n He stays back and thumps it over deep mid-wicket for a big maximum \ud83e\udee1#DPWorldILT20<\/a> #WhereTheWorldPlays<\/a> #AllInForCricket<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SSdiZe3nAc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 International League T20 (@ILT20Official) December 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The top-scorer of the Men\u2019s Hundred this year, Cox is a middle-order wicket-keeper batter who could be in demand at the auction. The England youngster is currently playing for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 and has shown good form with the bat. With wicket-keeper batters being a sought after commodity in the auction, Cox should be a good budget buys for multiple teams.<\/p>\n Delano Potgieter<\/p>\n A right-arm medium pacer and a left-handed hard-hitter down the order, Potgieter played a key role for MI Cape Town in their SA20 winning campaign last season. The South African is yet to make his international debut but teams like Mumbai Indians, who are known to get these largely unknown names with potential, might be interested. Do not be surprised if Potgieter finds a buyer in the auction.<\/p>\n Krains Fuletra<\/p>\n A left-arm wrist spinner from Saurashtra, Fuletra has played just three professional games and taken only one wicket and yet he is on the radar of multiple IPL franchises. His skills are being rated highly and ESPNCricinfo reports that he was very close to getting signed by SunRisers Hyderabad for the last edition. This year though, he might find a team.<\/p>\n Home<\/a>First Cricket<\/a>IPL 2026 Auction: Five biggest surprise buys who have potential to light up the tournamentEnd of Article
\nIPL 2026 Auction live streaming: Date, time, venue, purse left, where to watch – all you need to know<\/a><\/p>\nSri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka celebrates after scoring his maiden T20I century in the Asia Cup Super 4s match against India in Dubai. AP<\/p>\n
\nphenomenal for Mumbai in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy<\/a>. Expect teams to take a punt on this experienced yet dangerous version of Sarfaraz.<\/p>\n