KEY POINTS
- KKR made Cameron Green the most expensive overseas player, securing in 252 million.
- The bid broke the previous record held by fellow Australians Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
- The auction revealed a stark early preference for overseas talent over Indian players.
ABU DHABI: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made Cameron Green the most expensive overseas player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, securing the Australian all-rounder for a staggering INR 25.2 crores at the 2026 auction on Tuesday.
A New Financial Benchmark
The monumental bid shatters the previous overseas record held by his compatriots, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. It catapults Green to third place on the all-time expensive players’ list, sitting only behind Indian stalwarts Rishabh Pant (INR 27 cr) and Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 cr).
The investment underscores the premium franchises’ place on a genuine, power-hitting all-rounder at the peak of his career.
KKR further bolstered their squad by snapping up Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana for INR 18 crores and New Zealand opener Finn Allen.
However, the event highlighted a stark preference for foreign talent in the early rounds. While 10 overseas players were sold from the first sets of capped players, only two Indians found buyers. Big names like New Zealand’s Devon Conway, India’s Deepak Hooda, and Prithvi Shaw were among the 22 players who went unsold, compared to 12 successful signings.
The Premium on All-Round Power
The 26-year-old’s valuation has seen a meteoric rise, jumping from INR 17.50 crores in 2023. While his seam bowling has yielded modest returns in the IPL, his primary allure lies in his explosive batting.
With 707 runs at an average of 41.58 and a blistering strike rate of 153.69 across two seasons, Green represents a rare two-in-one package that can define a game with bat or ball. His acquisition marks a significant franchise shift, bringing him to KKR after stints with the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Strategic Signal and Future Speculation
Beyond the immediate cricketing logic, the record-shattering bid sends a powerful strategic message. By making Green their marquee signing, KKR has identified him as the potential cornerstone for their future campaigns.
The move ignites speculation about his role, with analysts questioning whether this investment is a prelude to a future leadership position within the franchise.
The cricketing world will now watch intently to see if Green can translate his unprecedented price tag into match-winning performances and justify KKR’s monumental faith.
Several prominent international players, including Wiaan Mulder, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Devon Conway, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Gerald Coetzee, Daryl Mitchell, Alzarri Joseph, Jamie Smith, and Maheesh Theekshana, went unsold at the auction.
