A few franchises must be looking to secure the services of a talented wicket-keeper in IPL 2026 auction, set to take place in mid-December. It is difficult to find a keeper who has the right judgement of the game and is useful for curating strategies with the bowler and captain to find a breakthrough in crunch moments. Franchises usually choose two to three keepers to add to their roster in the auction, which can help them manage injuries or find a suitable replacement for out-of-form players.

Top 5 Wicket-Keeper in IPL 2026 Auction

With the auction pool wide open and few players expected to be released, we have curated a list of top wicket-keeper batsman in IPL auction, who can attract bids from the franchises.

#5 Devon Conway

New Zealand international Devon Conway represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025. Entering at his base price of INR 2 crore, he was eventually sold for INR 6.25 crore. The demand stemmed from his success for the franchise since his debut in 2022, when he scored 252 runs at an average of 42. Conway smashed 672 runs at an average of 51.69 in the 2023 season, with six fifties to his name. His contributions helped the Yellow Army to win their fifth title.

Conway’s colossal act at Chinnaswamy!🤩#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/mIo7WHLHYi

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 18, 2023

After missing IPL 2024 due to an injury, the southpaw couldn’t be potent with his strike rate in the powerplay and failed to convert his starts into big innings on most occasions in 2025. As a result, he was dropped from the XI. In six games, he scored 156 runs at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 131.09, with a top score of 69. With Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel expected to be the top 3 for CSK, Devon Conway could be released and added to the list of wicket-keeper batsman in IPL 2026 auction.

🚨 Milestone 🚨

The highly consistent Devon Conway notches up 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in the #TATAIPL 👏

Updates ▶ https://t.co/HzhV1Vtl1S #PBKSvCSK pic.twitter.com/gIRtBRVOMT

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 8, 2025

However, Conway could still be a good bet for any of the franchises. He knows how to handle the pressure and can play as a second fiddle to help the team in posting a solid total.

#4 Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Known for his explosive starts, Rahmanullah Gurbaz hasn’t translated his international form into IPL so far. During his first season in 2022 with KKR, he garnered 227 runs in 11 innings at an average of 20.63 and a strike rate of 133.52.

26 but full of intent 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/uJklJpMaXP

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 29, 2025

Gurbaz played three playoff games in 2024, scoring 62 runs with a strike rate of 134.78, as KKR went on to win the title. In the last edition, he scored 74 runs at an average of 18.50 and a strike rate of 139.62. Picked up at his price of INR 2 crore, the Afghanistan keeper-batter could be released by the Knight Riders. But, keeping in mind his impressive international form, Gurbaz could be one of the best options for the franchises in the showpiece event.

#3 Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow replaced Will Jacks in the Mumbai Indians‘ (MI) roster for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Due to his experience and track record, Bairstow was an automatic choice as a partner for Rohit Sharma in the opening slot. Bairstow slammed 85 runs in two innings at a terrific strike rate of 184.78, with a best knock of 46 against the Gujarat Titans. As he was called in as a replacement in the playoffs, MI cannot retain the veteran keeper-batter.

The 𝘽𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙬 𝙃𝙮𝙥𝙚 was real & how 🫡🔥#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #GTvMI pic.twitter.com/PZCp47Wc5r

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 30, 2025

With 1,674 runs in 52 IPL games, Jonny Bairstow has gained success in the subcontinent tracks. If the right-hander enters as a wicket-keeper in IPL 2026 auction, he is likely to fetch big bids from a few of the franchises.

#2 Quinton de Kock

Quinton de Kock recently reversed his ODI retirement and scored a fifty against Pakistan on his return. Although he averaged 10 in the T20I leg of the series, he remains one of the finest wicket-keeper batsman in IPL with 3,309 runs in 115 games. However, the last two editions have been disappointing for De Kock, where he has scored 250 runs in 11 games (for LSG in 2024) and 152 runs in eight games (for KKR in 2025). Due to his subpar performance, the left-hander was dropped from the KKR XI in the last edition. He is also set to be released by the three-time champions.

Kolkata is waiting for you 🫶 pic.twitter.com/mUiEKtcjsF

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 24, 2024

However, Quinton de Kock possesses the ability to win games with his sensational wicket-keeping skills. He could generate enough interest from the franchises in the auction due to his track record and skills as a keeper-batter.

#1 Heinrich Klaasen

As per rumors, Heinrich Klaasen could be released by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the mini-auction. This is primarily due to his high price tag of INR 23 crore, the highest for any player in the league. With the release, SRH is reportedly trying to rebuild the squad after they finished sixth in the 2025 edition.

Related Article：Shocker in Hyderabad：Heinrich Klaasen Released by SRH Ahead of 2026 Auction?

Behind the scenes before the 🔥 mode

Heinrich Klaasen | #PlayWithFire | #RCBvSRH | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/B65zaUkQaY

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 23, 2025

Klaasen was the top batter for the side with 487 runs, while scoring a hundred in SRH’s last league game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Meanwhile, the Proteas batter has maintained consistency, scoring 400+ runs since 2023 for the Hyderabad-based franchise. Hence, Heinrich Klaasen should be the top choice for the franchises looking for a wicket-keeper in IPL 2026 auction. Along with maintaining a steady tempo in the middle overs, he promises a powerful finish for the side in the slog overs.