Shreyas Iyer expected at IPL 2026 auction; Ponting to give it a miss

The IPL auction on December 16 may be a mini event, but it could feature unexpected star power. Shreyas Iyer, currently sidelined with a spleen injury, is expected to lead the Punjab Kings delegation in Abu Dhabi.

December 10 (Wednesday) was the deadline for franchises to inform the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about the names of their representatives for the auction. It is learnt from BCCI sources that Punjab Kings have included their skipper's name in the list. As per BCCI and auction guidelines, a maximum of eight team members can be present inside the auction hall, with an additional six permitted outside.

Sources say Iyer is expected to be in Abu Dhabi, barring any last-minute change of plans. Iyer, whose stellar leadership and performances guided the side to the final last season, has been out of action since the ODI series in Australia last month.

However, Ricky Ponting is unlikely to make the trip to Abu Dhabi. The franchise head coach is currently contracted with the Seven Network in Australia for Ashes commentary, and the third Test begins the very next day - December 17 in Adelaide. Commentary duties may not be the only factor behind Ponting's expected absence. Punjab Kings have limited transactions to conduct at the auction anyway; they have INR 11.5 crore left in the purse and can acquire, at most, four players, including two overseas signings.

Vettori to take break from Ashes duty

Daniel Vettori, however, will be present at the auction despite his Ashes commitments. The Australia assistant coach is understood to have sought permission from Cricket Australia (CA) to travel to Abu Dhabi in the middle of the five-Test series. Vettori did not respond to a text from Cricbuzz, but a CA spokesperson said the arrangement would be similar to last year, when he was permitted to attend the auction in Jeddah in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Among other big names from Australia, LSG table will have the likes of Justin Langer and Tom Moody, the head coach and the franchise's global director of cricket.

MI most valuable franchise

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have been ranked as the most valuable IPL franchise. According to the Brand Finance Annual Report on the Most Valuable IPL brands, the five-time champions, owned by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), are valued at USD 108 million. Royal Challengers Bengaluru follow closely at USD 105 million, with Chennai Super Kings in third place at USD 93 million.

Kolkata Knight Riders (USD 74 million), Gujarat Titans (USD 70 million), Punjab Kings (USD 66 million), Lucknow Super Giants (USD 59 million), Delhi Capitals (USD 59 million), SunRisers Hyderabad (USD 56 million) and Rajasthan Royals (USD 53 million) are the other franchises in that order.