How have costliest IPL auction buys performed post 2025 season? Stats reveal

Cameron Green and Prashant Veer [Source: IPL and AFP]

The IPL 2026 mini auction saw teams spending big money, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) leading the way. Franchises were eager to strengthen their squads, and the auction featured a mix of well-known international stars and exciting uncapped Indian players among the most expensive signings.

The auction, held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, grabbed attention when Australian all-rounder Cameron Green became the costliest buy of the day. Young uncapped players Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer also made headlines by breaking auction records for teenagers.

As teams now prepare for the next IPL season, fans are curious to know whether these big-money buys are worth the hype. In this article, we take a closer look at how the costliest players bought at the IPL 2026 auction have performed since the conclusion of IPL 2025.

Cameron Green

Cameron Green became the biggest buy of IPL 2026 as KKR signed him for a huge amount of Rs 25.20 crore. As a result, he became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. Meanwhile, Green was returning from a serious injury, which included repeated lower back stress fractures that needed surgery in late 2024.

[Cameron Green's numbers post IPL in T20 format]

After his recovery, he played 8 T20I matches for Australia. During these games, he scored 258 runs with an impressive strike rate of 169.63. At the same time, the all-rounder did not bowl a single over after the IPL 2025 season. Additionally, he has not played any T20 matches in leagues so far this year.

However, his overall T20 record remains impressive. His high strike rate shows that he is in good batting form. Therefore, his performances look promising and give confidence ahead of the next IPL season.

Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana became one of the biggest surprises of IPL 2026 after CSK released him. Later, he turned into the second most expensive buy of the season as he was picked for a massive Rs 18 crore. Earlier, Pathirana had a decent IPL 2025 season, where he picked up 13 wickets in 12 matches.

[Matheesha Pathirana's numbers post IPL in T20I format]

After the IPL 2025 season, the young Sri Lankan fast bowler played only 3 T20I matches for Sri Lanka. During these games, he delivered a steady performance and took 1 wicket with an economy rate of 8.67. 

At the same time, his appearances in T20 leagues were also limited. He played just 3 matches in the ILT20 2025–26 season, where he impressed with the ball by taking 5 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 8.58.

Overall, his recent performances show that he is in good form. Therefore, if he continues with the same rhythm, this signing could turn into a match-winning move for KKR.

Kartik Sharma

Kartik Sharma became the joint-most expensive uncapped player of the IPL 2026 season as Chennai Super Kings bought the 19-year-old for a huge Rs 14.20 crore at the auction. The young wicketkeeper-batter enjoyed a strong 2025 season and caught everyone’s attention with his performances.

So far, he has not played an IPL match. However, post the IPL 2025 season, he showed good form in domestic T20 cricket. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 133 runs in 5 innings while batting in the middle order, along with an impressive strike rate of 160.24.

Even though the youngster does not have a lot of experience, his numbers clearly show his ability. In his short T20 career, he has played 11 innings and scored 334 runs with a strike rate of 162.92. 

This clearly shows his confidence and powerful hitting in the middle order. Therefore, if this form continues, he could turn out to be the X-factor player for the five-time champions.

Prashant Veer

Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, created history at the IPL 2026 auction. Along with Kartik Sharma, he became the most expensive uncapped Indian player ever as Chennai Super Kings paid a massive Rs 14.20 crore for each of them.

Notably, CSK picked Prashant Veer as a like-for-like replacement for former player Ravindra Jadeja. So far, Veer has not played an IPL match, and the upcoming season will mark his debut in the league. 

Post the IPL 2025 season, he has the UP T20 League and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.

[Prashant Veer's numbers in UPT20 league]

In the UP T20 League, he delivered an outstanding all-round performance. He scored 320 runs in 10 innings with a strong strike rate of 155.34 and an impressive average of 64.00. Along with his batting, he also picked up 8 wickets.

Looking at CSK’s choice, it is clear that the team wanted a reliable middle-order player. His excellent form in the T20 format makes him a strong fit for CSK in the next season

Liam Livingstone

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who surprisingly went unsold in the first round of the IPL auction, was later picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the accelerated round for ₹13 crore. 

Notably, Livingstone brings plenty of experience, although his IPL 2025 performance was modest. He scored 112 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 133.33 and took two wickets in five bowling outings, conceding runs at an economy of 8.44.

[Liam Livingstone's T20 batting stats post IPL 2025]

After IPL 2025, however, Livingstone found good form while playing in several T20 leagues, including the ILT20, The Hundred, and the Vitality Blast. Across 23 T20 innings, he scored 671 runs at an impressive average of 37.3. With the ball, he picked up 11 wickets in 13 innings while maintaining a solid economy rate of 7.73.

Given his strong post-IPL form and aggressive batting strike rate of 159, Livingstone could prove to be a valuable middle-order option for SRH.

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