IPL 2026 season - mini-auction player update

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

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Simon Lewis 2 hours ago

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New signings for the coming IPL season include Tejasvi Dahiya (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Cooper Connolly (Punjab Kings).
Josh Inglis’ reduced availability due to his upcoming wedding has resulted in him moving to Lucknow Super Giants.
The IPL’s 19th season takes place from 22 March to 3 June 2026.

Josh Inglis hit out against India (Getty Images).

DPL star Tejasvi Dahiya becomes latest talent to break into IPL

The Delhi Premier League (DPL) is proving fertile ground for scouts from the IPL, with wicketkeeper Tejasvi Dahiya the latest recruit to the world’s premier T20 tournament. Dahiya was snapped up by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 16 December at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi for a price of INR 3 crore.

During the auction a bidding war erupted between the KKR, Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals for the player who had been for trials with several IPL teams. Dahiya smashed a 12-ball fifty in this year’s DPL and was the tournament’s leading six-hitter, sending 29 sixes over the ropes on the way to scoring 339 runs (S/R 190.45). In the previous season he scored 208 runs in 10 knocks (S/R 163.78).

"The DPL has helped a lot. Since it is telecasted, not only selectors but also IPL scouts watch it. They already have a clear picture of every player. Your attitude is noticed that how you handle pressure,” said Dahiya.

Cooper Connolly set for IPL debut with the Punjab Kings

Batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly has been bought by Punjab Kings for INR 3 crore after a ground-breaking year for the 22-year-old. Earlier this year he became the youngest Australian to pick up five wickets in an innings in ODIs with his left-arm spin when he helped run through South Africa in Mackay, taking 5/22.

Connolly’s main asset is his power-hitting, which is what inspired the Punjab Kings to snap him up at the recent IPL auction. The left-hand batter made his name in the 2022/23 Big Bash final when he powered the Perth Scorchers to the title against the Brisbane Heat by smashing 25 not out off 11 balls.

"I'd like to leave a legacy at Punjab. If I get the opportunity, hopefully I can sort of etch my name in history and win the trophies for Punjab. It's just about picking the brains of people who have done it for a long period of time, understanding how they go about it and adding their method into my game to see how I can play in those spinning conditions. It's sort of trying to understand it as quickly as I can, so I get the best out of myself in the middle," said Connolly.

Josh Inglis’ vows to restrict his IPL appearances

Australia wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis went under the hammer for the Lucknow Super Giants for a price of INR 8.6 crore at the recent IPL mini-auction, but the 30-year-old will not be fully available to his new franchise due to his upcoming wedding towards the start of April.

Inglis has played 5 Tests, 33 ODIs and 41 T20Is for Australia. Last season he scored 278 runs for the Punjab Kings in 11 innings (ave 30.88, S/R 162.57). He also secured nine catches and one stumping.

"I don't have full availability this year. I'm getting married in early April, so I didn't really expect to go, to be honest," Inglis told ABC Sport. The player informed the Punjab Kings of his limited availability due to his wedding, which was a key reason that he wasn’t retained by the franchise.