The IPL 2026 season once again underlined Australia’s strong influence in the league. From big-money buys to key retentions and a few surprise unsold names, Australian cricketers featured heavily across franchises. Several stars were retained before the auction, while others entered the mini-auction and triggered competitive bidding.
Read overview of all Australian players in IPL 2026, their auction status, prices, teams, and what it means for the season ahead.
Australia’s Presence in IPL 2026 Overview:
- Australian players remain among the most trusted overseas options in the IPL.
- Teams focused on all-rounders, fast bowlers, and power batters from Australia.
- A mix of retained stars, high-value auction picks, budget buys, and unsold names shaped the final list.
How Many Australian Players Are in IPL 2026?
Australian players appeared in IPL 2026 under three categories:
- Retained players (kept by franchises before the auction)
- Sold players (bought in the IPL 2026 auction)
- Unsold players (registered but not picked)
Australia remains one of the best-represented overseas nations in the league.
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Australian Players Sold in IPL 2026 Auction
These players entered the auction pool and found teams after bidding.
| Player | Role | Base Price | Final Price | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Edwards | All-rounder | ₹50 Lakh | ₹3.00 Cr | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Josh Inglis | WK-Batter | ₹2.00 Cr | ₹8.60 Cr | Lucknow Super Giants |
| Ben Dwarshuis | All-rounder | ₹1.00 Cr | ₹4.40 Cr | Punjab Kings |
| Cooper Connolly | All-rounder | ₹2.00 Cr | ₹3.00 Cr | Punjab Kings |
| Matthew Short | All-rounder | ₹1.50 Cr | ₹1.50 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
| Cameron Green | Batter | ₹2.00 Cr | ₹25.20 Cr | Kolkata Knight Riders |
Key Talking Point
- Cameron Green emerged as the most expensive Australian buy, showing franchises’ continued faith in elite pace-bowling all-rounders.
Australian Players Retained for IPL 2026
Several top Australians were retained directly, highlighting their long-term value.
| Player | Role | Retained Price | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Cummins | All-rounder | ₹18.00 Cr | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Travis Head | Batter | ₹14.00 Cr | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler | ₹12.50 Cr | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Tim David | Batter | ₹3.00 Cr | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Xavier Bartlett | Bowler | ₹80 Lakh | Punjab Kings |
| Mitchell Owen | Batter | ₹3.00 Cr | Punjab Kings |
| Marcus Stoinis | All-rounder | ₹11.00 Cr | Punjab Kings |
| Mitchell Marsh | All-rounder | ₹3.40 Cr | Lucknow Super Giants |
| Mitchell Starc | Bowler | ₹11.75 Cr | Delhi Capitals |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler | ₹2.00 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
Retention Insight
- Teams prioritized leadership, pace bowling, and finishing ability.
- Australian fast bowlers and all-rounders remained high-value assets.
Australian Players Unsold in IPL 2026
Despite registering for the auction, these players did not receive bids.
| Player | Role | Base Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will Sutherland | All-rounder | ₹1.00 Cr | Unsold |
| Spencer Johnson | Bowler | ₹1.50 Cr | Unsold |
| Riley Meredith | Bowler | ₹1.50 Cr | Unsold |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | Batter | ₹2.00 Cr | Unsold |
| Jhye Richardson | Bowler | ₹1.50 Cr | Unsold |
| Sean Abbott | All-rounder | ₹2.00 Cr | Unsold |
Why Some Australians Went Unsold
- High base prices
- Limited overseas slots
- Teams focusing on specific roles over depth options
Read Also: Bangladesh Players in IPL 2026
Team-wise: Australian Players in IPL 2026
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Jack Edwards
- Punjab Kings: Ben Dwarshuis, Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Owen
- Chennai Super Kings: Matthew Short, Nathan Ellis
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Cameron Green
- Lucknow Super Giants: Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood, Tim David
- Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Starc
Australian players are expected to play a crucial role in IPL 2026, with stars like Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood providing world-class experience and leadership, while Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis add valuable all-round balance.
Young talents such as Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, and Cooper Connolly bring fresh energy, making Australian cricketers likely match-winners across conditions, especially on fast and high-scoring IPL venues.
