IPL 2026: Top targets, likely releases, young talents to keep an eye on at mini-auction
Green, Bairstow and Holder among top targets for 2026 IPL
Cameron Green: The 2025 Indian Premier League saw RCB secure their first title, and the Punjab Kings will hope to do likewise this year. The Kings are reportedly eyeing a move for Cameron Green, who missed last year’s tournament through injury, but given the Aussie all-rounder’s recent form, several teams are expected to battle for his signature.
Johnny Bairstow: The England wicket-keeper needs little introduction, having played for three different teams in the IPL over the years. He was brought in as an injury replacement by the Mumbai Indians late last season and impressed at the top of the order, which could see the five-time champions look to retain his services for the upcoming campaign.
Jason Holder: Jason Holder has featured for several teams in the IPL since making his debut in 2013. The West Indian quick went unselected in the last two editions of the competition, but took 15 wickets in eight matches for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League last year, and is on the radar of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, potentially as a replacement for Mohammed Shami.
Kyle Jamieson: Kyle Jamieson has struggled to secure a home in the IPL since debuting in 2021. However, the tall Kiwi earned plenty of praise after stepping in for Lockie Ferguson with PBKS last year, and there are rumours that the Rajasthan Royals are lining up a move for him this year as they look to bolster their bowling attack that underperformed massively in 2025.
Connolly and Suryavanshi listed as hottest IPL prospects
Cooper Connolly: In the lead-up to the 2026 IPL, rising Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly is a player who is attracting lots of interest, with several teams believed to be viewing him as a long-term investment. Connolly was one of the breakout stars at the Big Bash League last year, scoring 351 runs at an average of over 50 for the Perth Scorchers.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Last year, we witnessed a star being born in 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed all sorts of records after breaking into the Rajasthan Royals team. The teenager was named India’s U-19 vice-captain this year and was the team’s standout performer in their series against England, where he scored 355 runs at a strike rate of 174.01.
Digvesh Rathi: Lucknow Super Giants’ mystery spinners Digvesh Rathi was easily the team’s best bowler last year, notching up 17 wickets at an average of 26.35. At 25, Rathi is slightly older than the two players mentioned above in this list, which could see him look to try and force a move to a bigger franchise in hopes of putting himself in the eyeline of India head coach Gautham Gambhir.
Samson and Rahul to switch allegiance in 2026?
While there is a major focus on player acquisitions ahead of the new season, there are also several big-name departures expected, headlined by Sanju Samson, who has made the Rajasthan Royals aware that he would like to leave the franchise in 2026.
While nothing has been finalised yet, there is widespread expectation that the Royals will look to trade their skipper at the mini-auction, along with the likes of Sri Lanka duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, as well as Fazalhaq Farooqi, who ended last season wicketless.
Elsewhere, despite having an excellent season for the Delhi Capitals and carrying his form into the national team, KL Rahul is expected to be traded this season. However, he is not the only player who could depart DC, with Mitchell Starc and Jake Fraser-McGurk also likely to be on the chopping block.
Mohammad Shami’s inconsistency over the past year have led to him being dropped from the national team, and he could suffer the same fate with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Given SRH’s performance last season, Adam Zampa could look to move away from the franchise next year as well.
