How the IPL Auction 2026 turned Abu Dhabi into cricket’s financial capital
By K.R. Nayar From Abu Dhabi Etihad Arena The IPL Auction 2026 turned out to be nothing short of a blockbuster, dazzling fans and stakeholders alike with its scale, drama, and free-flowing money. Franchise owners opened their purses wide to assemble dream squads. As the bidding wars escalated, it added layers of glamour and reinforced the IPL’s stature once again as the richest league in world cricket. Though officially labelled a “mini auction,” it should be termed as one of the major auctions in the world due to many reasons. It literally turned Abu Dhabi into cricket’s financial capital! Etihad Arena dressed in IPL colours. Photo by K.R. Nayar Set against the stunning backdrop of the Etihad Arena, decked in vibrant IPL colours, the venue witnessed history being rewritten. The moment arrived when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stunned the cricketing world by snapping up Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a staggering Rs 25.20 crores, after he had entered the auction with ...