With the mini-auction only a week away, franchises are once again polishing their IPL 2026 auction strategy, deciding whether to go bold or stay conservative. Fans are also busy speculating which of the many IPL 2026 mini auction target players might unexpectedly rise in value this year. As always, watching IPL teams buy players is half the entertainment.

Chennai Super Kings (Purse: INR 43.4 crore)

CSK’s boardroom chat is rather straightforward this year: replace the missing all-round punch. With Sam Curran long gone, the yellow brigade is desperate for an overseas seam-bowling all-rounder who can hit deep and bowl hard overs. Their IPL 2026 auction strategy naturally points towards someone in the Liam Livingstone or Cameron Green mould, both of whom conveniently feature among the hotter IPL 2026 mini auction target players.

They also need a pace-bowling backup after releasing Matheesha Pathirana, so expect them to keep a curious yet disciplined eye when IPL teams buy players, especially overseas quicks who fit their system rather than just their highlight reels.

Delhi Capitals (Purse: INR 21.8 crore)

DC’s top order needs mending. After moving on from Fraser-McGurk and du Plessis, they need a steady opener who can survive the early swing and keep the run rate ticking. With only three overseas players on the books, they are almost structurally obliged to make several foreign signings. Their decisions will be less about glamour and more about filling the right roles.

Gujarat Titans (Purse: INR 12.9 crore)

GT desperately need a finisher. Without Sherfane Rutherford, their lower order looks a little too polite for the slog overs. Someone who can start swinging from ball one would instantly elevate their line-up. Their purse isn’t huge, so their IPL 2026 auction strategy may revolve around sneaking in clever, mid-range picks rather than chasing the top-priced hitters among the IPL 2026 mini auction target players. That said, Titans have made a habit of buying smart when others overspend.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Purse: INR 64.3 crore)

KKR have the fattest purse and, ironically, one of the thinnest spines. No proper wicketkeeper, no settled opener, no proven all-rounder after the exits of Russell and Iyer. This is why they will shape how IPL teams buy players across the afternoon. With the money to chase multiple roles at once, they can shift the tempo of the auction dramatically. Expect lots of paddles raised and even more theories from experts trying to guess their next move.

Lucknow Super Giants (Purse: INR 22.95 crore)

LSG are patching holes at both ends of their innings. They need a middle-order hitter to replace David Miller and a frontline spinner to replace Bishnoi. Their priorities are so clear that they might be among the fastest movers early in the day. While they won’t necessarily hunt the most expensive options, they’ll be tracking the same pool of IPL 2026 mini auction target players as several other teams, which could spark a few competitive moments.

Mumbai Indians (Purse: INR 2.75 crore)

MI have almost no purse to work with, but fortunately, they don’t have dramatic gaps either. They’re likely to look for low-cost backups—perhaps a domestic all-rounder or a base-price overseas player who slipped under the radar. Their calm, minimalistic approach is typical of a team with a settled core.

Punjab Kings (Purse: INR 11.5 crore)

PBKS are keeping things simple. With a fairly stable first XI and a modest purse, they won’t be driving bidding wars. Their moves will be tactical, depth signings, maybe a specialist bowler, or an experimental overseas pick. This is where a precise IPL 2026 auction strategy matters more than raw spending power.

Rajasthan Royals (Purse: INR 16.05 crore)

RR face a clear challenge: they’ve released three spinners, leaving Jadeja as the lone frontline option. At spin-friendly venues, that imbalance could be disastrous. They’ll likely target one of the better-rated spinners among the IPL 2026 mini auction target players, along with an experienced fast bowler to add stability.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Purse: INR 16.4 crore)

RCB’s concern is the fast-bowling department. Hazlewood’s workload and Dayal’s long absence leave them with too much risk and too little depth. They will almost certainly pursue an overseas quick and a reliable domestic pacer. Their choices will influence how IPL teams buy players toward the latter half of the auction, when pace options start drying up.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Purse: INR 25.5 crore)

SRH need a lot: at least two spinners, a domestic pacer after Shami’s exit, and an all-rounder to balance the middle order. Their approach may be one of the broadest in the room, looking across several categories rather than one speciality. It’s the kind of shopping list that tests even the most organised IPL 2026 auction strategy.