Cameron Green’s big-money IPL deal has drawn attention as the IPL 2026 mini auction begins on 16 December 2025. While bidding battles remain fierce, a key rule has quietly reshaped how overseas players are paid. Franchises can still push prices higher during the auction, but foreign cricketers do not receive the full bid amount once a fixed threshold is crossed. This rule explains why Cameron, despite being sold for Rs 25.20 crore, will take home only Rs 18 crore.
Overseas Players Face a Salary Cap
Under regulations enforced by the IPL Governing Council, overseas players can earn a maximum of Rs 18 crore from the mini auction. Regardless of how high the bidding rises, the final salary remains capped at this figure. Even if franchises bid beyond the limit, the player’s earnings do not increase. This cap applies uniformly to all foreign players participating in the auction.
Big Purses, But Limited Payouts
The rule comes into sharper focus as franchises prepare to spend heavily. Kolkata Knight Riders enter the auction with the largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore, while Chennai Super Kings follow with Rs 43.6 crore.
Despite such financial muscle, the salary ceiling ensures that overseas stars do not receive inflated pay packets.
Why BCCI Introduced the Cap
The salary ceiling was introduced by the BCCI ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction and has now been extended to mini auctions. The cap matches the highest retention slab from the previous mega auction.
This move aims to enforce financial discipline and prevent runaway inflation, which mini auctions have previously experienced due to supply-and-demand gaps.
Concerns from Previous Mini Auctions
In recent seasons, mini auctions produced eye-catching prices for overseas fast bowlers and all-rounders, even when players had limited availability due to international schedules. Such deals raised concerns over fairness and long-term franchise budgeting. The new rule is designed to address these issues and promote sustainable spending.
What Happens to Extra Money
Under the current framework, if an overseas player is bid up to Rs 25.20 crore, he will still receive only Rs 18 crore. The remaining amount is transferred to the BCCI’s player welfare fund. Importantly, the franchise must still pay the full bid amount from its auction purse.
Indian Players Remain Exempt
The restriction applies only to overseas players. Indian cricketers are not covered by this cap and receive the full value of their winning bids, even if the amount exceeds Rs 18 crore. This distinction ensures domestic players remain unaffected by the regulation.
