Cameron Green is expected to be one of the hottest overseas picks in the 2026 IPL mini auction. With KKR and CSK holding the strongest purses heading into December 16, the bidding could easily push beyond ₹20 crore. However, Green himself will not be allowed to earn more than ₹18 crore, and that difference directly benefits the BCCI.
What Is the Maximum Fee Rule At IPL 2026 Auction?
The IPL introduced a maximum-fee rule for overseas players in auctions starting last year. This rule applies only when a player is bought during a mini auction and only to overseas players.
How the rule works
- The player can be auctioned beyond ₹18 crore
- The franchise will still have the full auction amount deducted from its purse
- The player will receive a maximum of ₹18 crore
- Any amount bid beyond ₹18 crore is collected by the BCCI
- The BCCI deposits this excess towards player welfare programs
Indian players are not restricted by this cap. They receive the full bid amount.
Example scenario
If Green sells for ₹22 crore:
- ₹22 crore deducted from the buying team’s purse
- ₹18 crore paid to Green
- ₹4 crore transferred to BCCI welfare funds
Why Was This Rule Introduced?
Preventing inflated overseas salaries
Mini auctions often create heavy demand for a few overseas players. Some cricketers were intentionally skipping mega auctions to exploit this imbalance later. The cap protects against runaway salary inflation.
Maintaining retention value logic
The ceiling is linked to the highest retention value (₹18 crore from the IPL 2025 mega auction). This keeps auction pricing aligned with existing player salary structures.
Additional BCCI revenue for welfare
Any excess from aggressive bidding goes straight into a fund that supports cricketers’ welfare and development in India.
ALSO READ: CSK Targets For IPL 2026 Auction
What It Means for Cameron Green
Green fits the ideal mini auction profile:
- Dynamic batting at a strike rate above 150 in the IPL
- Middle-order versatility and a sixth-bowling option
- High demand from both KKR and CSK
He may still end up as the costliest buy of the auction in terms of purse deduction. But his personal contract value will remain capped at ₹18 crore, no matter how high the final bid goes.
Franchises may go all-out to secure Cameron Green, and the auction figure on the screen may shoot well past ₹18 crore. But any money above that limit will go not to Green, but to the BCCI.
The bigger the bidding war, the more the BCCI gains.
