IPL 2026 Auction: Former KKR Wicketkeeper Makes Surprise Entry In Final Players Cut

After missing the first cut, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has been a late addition to the 350-player list for the upcoming IPL 2026 Auction on December 9 (Tuesday). The wicketkeeper batter, who last represented the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was released by the franchise and was expected to go unsold in the upcoming season.

The 32-year-old made a strong impression just before the IPL auction, smashing a stroke-filled 106 against India in the third ODI in Visakhapatnam. Before that, too, the left-hander showed great form against Pakistan, where he had scores of 63, 123* and 53 in the three ODIs.

Apart from the usual suspects, the upcoming IPL auction will feature a new host of Sri Lankan cricketers like Traveen Mathew, Binura Fernando, Kusal Perera and Dunith Wellalage. On expected lines, Cameron Green is set to feature in List 1 and, in all likelihood, will be the costliest player at the auction. 

"The auction will feature 350 players and will commence at 1 pm UAE time (2.30 PM IST) on Tuesday, 16 December, at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi," the BCCI said in a mail to the franchises, reported Cricbuzz. 

KKR will have the largest purse, with INR 64.30 crore to fill 13 slots. The 2023 IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings, will have the second largest, with INR 43.4 crore, in their pursuit to find the right combinations.