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Who is Mallika Sagar? Meet IPL auctioneer for 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi

Rajgeeta Yadav

Mallika Sagar [Source: AFP]Mallika Sagar [Source: AFP]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is just around the corner, and all eyes are on Abu Dhabi, where the event will take place on December 16. With teams gearing up for intense bidding battles, another familiar face will once again take center stage, Mallika Sagar, the auctioneer for the event.

This year’s mini auction will see 369 players placed on the auction list, while teams will compete for just 77 available slots. Several overseas and Indian stars are expected to attract huge bids.

Notably, among the franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders will enter the auction with the biggest purse, adding extra drama to the proceedings.

So, who is the IPL 2026 mini auctioneer?

Mallika Sagar has become a well-known name in the IPL world. Born in Mumbai in 1975, Mallika grew up in a business-oriented family. Interestingly, her interest in auctioneering began not through sports, but through reading a book that featured a female auctioneer. That unexpected inspiration eventually shaped her career path.

Mallika pursued her education in the United States, studying in Connecticut before earning a degree in Art History from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia. Her academic background led her into the world of fine art auctions.

In 2001, she began working at Christie’s in New York, one of the world’s most prestigious auction houses. By the age of 26, she had already made history by becoming the first Indian woman auctioneer at Christie’s.

Mallika later returned to India and continued her work with respected institutions such as Pundole’s Art Gallery in Mumbai. Her journey into sports auctions began in 2021 when she became the first female auctioneer for the Pro Kabaddi League.

She broke major ground in cricket by handling the Women’s Premier League auctions and then making history in the IPL. In 2023, she stepped in at short notice after the former auctioneer collapsed mid-event, impressing everyone with her confidence. In IPL 2024, she officially became the first woman to lead an IPL auction.