IPL 2026 auction: Proven BBL stars whom RCB, CSK or MI can buy for next season

Debashis Sarangi

Nikhil Chaudhary could be targeted by RCB [Source: AFP, @mysportswiz/X]Nikhil Chaudhary could be targeted by RCB [Source: AFP, @mysportswiz/X]

To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, the highly anticipated Indian Premier League 2026 auction is all set to be held on December 16. Three hundred fifty players will go under the hammer in a marquee event in Abu Dhabi in pursuit of lucrative IPL contracts, available for only 77 names, for the upcoming edition. 

Meanwhile, the Big Bash League has already kick-started, and several players, having proven themselves in the tournament, will be eyeing breakthrough deals for MI, CSK or RCB in the IPL 2026 auction, as mentioned below. 

Ben Dwarshuis (Base price- INR 1 Cr)

Criterion
Data
Matches118
Wickets148
Average22.53
Strike Rate16.65
Economy8.11

(Ben Dwarshuis' BBL stats)

Why Ben Dwarshuis could be a good pick in IPL 2026 mini auction?

  • Left-arm new ball bowler: Ben Dwarshuis can swing the new ball up front and trouble the opponent's top order with his accuracy. His knack for picking wickets as a ruthless force in the powerplay could help him attract bidders in the mini auction. 
  • Wily operator in all 3 phases, handy batter: Dwarshuis is a clever operator of the ball across all three phases, and he can also bamboozle the batters with his variations and cutters. Additionally, he can score handy runs lower down the order, offering his side the cushion of batting depth. 

MI, CSK or RCB; which team could target Dwarshuis?

  • Considering MI have Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur as bowling allrounders and Trent Boult as their first-choice left-arm seamer, they might not raise the paddle for Dwarshuis. However, RCB, a team that doesn't have a left-arm pacer apart from Yash Dayal and CSK, a side which needs a bowling all-rounder lower down the order, might bid for the Big Bash League superstar. 

Matthew Short (Base price- INR 1.5 Cr)

Criterion
Data
Matches82
Runs2186
Average29.14
Strike Rate143.15
Wickets33
Economy7.58

(Matthew Short's BBL stats)

Why Matthew Short could be a good pick in IPL 2026 mini auction?

  • Aggressive batter: Matthew Short is a clean striker of the ball and can torment the opposition with his scintillating stroke play. He is an exceptional hitter of raw pace and can be an asset for the IPL franchises, especially on flat batting decks. 
  • All-round package, versatile batter: Although Matthew Short has mostly opened the batting in the BBL, he has the calibre to play in the middle order too. Besides chipping in with brisk runs, Short can roll his arms for a few overs of handy off-spin, thereby providing the teams with an excellent multi-dimensional option. 

MI, CSK or RCB; which team could target Matthew Short?

  • Mumbai Indians have Will Jacks, who is also a versatile batter and gives an off-spin option. As they have retained him for a price of more than 5 crores, the five-time champions might not bid for Matthew Short. However, CSK and RCB, searching for a spin all-rounder after releasing Jadeja and Livingstone, respectively, could raise the paddle for the Australian ace. 

Will Sutherland (Base price- INR 1 Cr)

Criterion
Data
Runs630
Strike Rate134.32
Wickets36
Economy8.80

(Will Sutherland's BBL stats)

Why Will Sutherland could be a good pick in IPL 2026 mini auction

  • Excellent all-round value: Will Sutherland is a right-arm seamer and useful batter lower down the order. Apart from scoring 630 runs in the Big Bash League, Sutherland has bagged 36 wickets in the competition. So, being a seam-bowling allrounder, who can also contribute to the total with quick-fire cameos, Will Sutherland can attract multiple bidders in the mini auction. 

MI, CSK or RCB; which team could target Will Sutherland?

  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru have Romario Shepherd, who is also a pace-bowling allrounder. Considering they have only two overseas slots, RCB might not consider Sutherland worth bidding. However, the Mumbai Indians might be interested in bagging the Australian cricketer, who can add quality and depth to their all-round department alongside Mitch Santner and Hardik Pandya. Chennai Super Kings could also show interest in the allrounder, as he can fill the void of Sam Curran in their setup. 

Nikhil Chaudhary (Base price - 40 lakhs)

Criterion
Data
Runs386
Strike Rate134.02
Wickets9
Economy7.65

Why Nikhil Chaudhary could be a good pick in IPL 2026 mini auction

  • Destructive finisher: Nikhil Chaudhary is an India-origin player who can torment the opposition with his finishing skills. His ability to up the ante at will and thrive in crunch situations makes him a handy middle-order batter. 
  • Bowling value: Apart from scoring quick runs in the middle-order, Nikhil Chaudhary can also bowl a few overs of off-spin. That said, his knack for putting his energy on the field might help him earn an IPL contract. 

MI, CSK or RCB; which team could target Nikhil Chaudhary?

  • Considering MI have Will Jacks in a similar role, they might not bid big for Nikhil Chaudhary. However, RCB, having released Liam Livingstone, could add the BBL ace to their setup to fine-tune their lower middle order ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.