The South African wicketkeeper-batter, initially absent from the roster, makes a late entry into the final list for the 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi.
Quinton de Kock is back in the IPL auction mix, and nobody saw it coming. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finalized its list of 350 players for the upcoming auction, and the 33-year-old South African wicketkeeper-batter made a surprise late addition after being left off the initial roster. He’s set his base price at INR 1 crore (roughly £94,000), half what he was worth before.
De Kock got released by Kolkata Knight Riders after a disappointing season, but franchises specifically requested he be added to the register. That’s interesting, because it shows teams still see value in him despite the rough patch.
The BCCI whittled down an initial pool of 1,390 hopefuls to this final shortlist of 350. That breaks down to 240 Indian players and 110 overseas stars, all competing for a maximum of 77 available squad spots when the auction kicks off in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
De Kock’s timing is pretty good, actually. He recently scored a century in an ODI against India right after he reversed his retirement decision, so he’s clearly still got it. At half his previous price tag, he could be a bargain for teams hunting an experienced opener.
He’s not the only late addition. South African all-rounder George Linde and Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage also made it onto the list at the last minute. Meanwhile, big names like Australia’s Steve Smith and Cameron Green put themselves in the top bracket with a base price of INR 2 crore.
“The auction will feature 350 players and will commence at 1 pm UAE time on Tuesday, 16 December,” the BCCI told franchises in an official message.
Cricket analysts think de Kock could spark a bidding war even with his reduced price. “Finding an aggressive opener… should be one of their primary objectives,” commentators noted, with teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad or Delhi Capitals potentially in the mix.
This year’s “mini-auction” comes after a major retention window where 173 players stayed with their teams. With a combined purse of INR 237.55 crore still available, franchises are going to have to play it smart. Holding the event in Abu Dhabi marks the third straight year the IPL auction has gone overseas, showing just how global the league has become.
All eyes will be on the Etihad Arena next Tuesday to see if de Kock’s late gamble pays off. With 31 overseas slots available, the competition for proven international talent is going to be fierce, especially for dynamic top-order batters like the South African veteran.
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