IPL 2026 mini auction: Overseas stars who could trigger a bidding war if released

Mitchell Starc likely to be released [Source: AFP]

With IPL 2026 around the corner, all ten franchises must submit their retention lists by November 15 and the mini-auction is scheduled for December 13-15, as per the reports.

Unlike a mega auction year, teams can retain as many players as they want, which means players who underperformed, were too expensive, or are unhappy may be released. 

This opens the door for several overseas players to enter the auction and potentially trigger a bidding war.

Mitchell Starc

One player likely to draw attention is Mitchell Starc, who may be released by Delhi Capitals (DC) after just one season. Starc was bought for ₹11.75 crore in IPL 2025 and picked up 14 wickets in 11 matches, including a career-best 5/35. 

[Mitchell Starc's IPL career]

The Australia pacer has been instrumental in the death overs, consistently bowling yorkers that make him nearly unplayable in important moments. With his IPL experience, he is likely to attract intense bidding wars. In 52 matches, he has taken 65 wickets at an economy rate of 8.61

Notably, Teams might bid for Starc because he brings experience and the ability to deliver in crunch situations. Any franchise looking to strengthen its bowling attack, especially in the death overs, would see him as a game-changer who can consistently pick up key wickets and control scoring. 

Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone is another player who could see big demand if released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He struggled in IPL 2025, scoring just 112 runs in 10 matches at an average of 16 and taking two wickets. However, despite the poor form his T20 potential remains immense. 

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Livingstone is a power-hitting all-rounder who can change a game in a single over, and he has shown excellent form in other tournaments, scoring 241 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 155.58 in the Men’s Hundred 2025, and 260 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 176.87 in the Vitality Blast. Meanwhile, with the ball, he took 7 wickets in Hundred and 6 in Vitality Blast.

[Liam Livingstone's The Hundred 2025 batting stats]

Teams would bid for him because they are always on the lookout for a player who can turn the momentum of a match with explosive batting while providing handy bowling options, giving them both flexibility and firepower in the lineup.

Will Jacks

Will Jacks could also ignite a bidding war if released by Mumbai Indians (MI). Sold for ₹5.25 crore in IPL 2025, Jacks had a below-par season, scoring 233 runs in 11 innings with a strike rate of 152.81 and an average of 27.24. Meanwhile, with the ball, he also struggled, failing to take a wicket in 8 innings.

The England young all-rounder is known for explosive batting and the ability to dominate from the start of an innings, which makes him extremely valuable in this format. Beyond batting, he contributes as a handy off-spin bowler and can play at multiple positions in the order, whether opening or finishing. 

[Will Jacks's The Hundred 2025 batting stats]

Recently, he performed well in the Men’s Hundred 2025 and the Vitality Blast, scoring 275 runs in 9 innings in the Men’s Hundred and 504 runs in 10 innings in the Blast. With the ball, he took 7 wickets in 10 innings during the Blast.

Teams might bid for Jacks because he offers both firepower and versatility, meaning he can fill multiple roles in a squad and is a proven match-winner across T20 leagues.

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