This Player Can Break Rishabh Pant’s Record in IPL 2026 Auction: Know Who He is?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is still a few months away from now. But the tournament is already in the news. The preparations for the next edition of the cash-rich league have kicked started as all the teams have started to work on the permutations and combinations.

Before the IPL 2026, the massive challenge for all the teams will be to rope in the best players and those who can serve the team for a long time. For this, the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which will be taking place next month, becomes extremely important for all ten franchises.

Almost every franchise has a few areas of concern, and their first focus will be to fill those in the auction. Even though it will be a mini-auction, it is expected to be a blockbuster one as some of the big names in world cricket are all set to go under the hammer.

The last two auctions saw records being shattered. In 2024, it was one of the best bowlers in the world, Mitchell Starc, who got INR 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and then in 2025, Rishabh Pant shattered all the records and became the most expensive player in IPL.

Rishabh Pant created history as he became the costliest ever player in the history of the league after the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) shelled out INR 27 crore for him.

Who Can be Highest Paid Player in IPL 2026 Auction?

Indian keeper-batter Sanju Samson is all set to end his long association with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026. As per the various media reports, it is learned that the keeper-batter is unhappy with the franchise’s management and wants to explore new teams.

It was learned that one of the best wicket keepers in IPL, Sanju Samson, was all set to join Delhi Capitals (DC), who, in return, will give Tristan Stubbs to the RR. However, reports claimed that, due to some unknown reasons, the trade got cancelled.

With Sanju not wanting to be with RR and his trade with DC also getting cancelled, this means that he is highly likely to enter the IPL 2026 auction. And, if that happens, he will be on the radar of almost all the teams, in particular Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He might end up as IPL 2026 most expensive player.

Which Teams Can Buy Sanju Samson in IPL 2026 Auction?

KKR are in need of an Indian top-order keeper-batter who can also lead the team. And Samson fills all these criteria. There are chances that the three-time champions might go all out for him in the auction, and he might end up breaking Rishabh Pant’s record.

On the other hand, CSK needs a replacement for MS Dhoni. The veteran batter is expected to call time on his career after the IPL 2026. His absence no doubt will leave a massive void in the side, and to fill that, there won’t be any better guy than Sanju Samson, who brings in the south touch with him.

There were some reports as well, which claimed that Sanju Samson will be there in the CSK next year, meaning that the franchise has shown interest in him. Hence, if he comes in the auction, there could be a bidding war for him between CSK and KKR, and he might also end up crossing the INR 27 crore barrier in the auction.