India, Dec. 16 -- The IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi unveils a fascinating market dynamic - franchises deliberately releasing expensive players only to try and buy them back at reduced prices. With 369 players competing for just 77 slots and no Right to Match cards available, this strategic gamble could reshape squad economics across the league.

The auction landscape is dramatically skewed. Kolkata Knight Riders command a massive INR 64.30 crore purse with 13 slots to fill, while Chennai Super Kings hold INR 43.40 crore for nine vacancies. At the opposite end, the Mumbai Indians enter with a mere INR 2.75 crore, with a more or less complete squad and effectively sidelined from major bidding wars. This unequal distribution creates opp...