The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has carefully sifted through a massive pool of 1,390 players to create a final shortlist of 350 cricketers. This handpicked list leans heavily towards homegrown talent, showcasing 240 Indian players alongside 110 talented international professionals. This thorough selection process highlights the league’s dedication to discovering and incorporating fresh talent. Franchises are set to fiercely compete for 77 available spots, which include 31 vital positions earmarked for overseas players, ensuring a competitive edge for the upcoming season. With all teams retaining a total of 173 players, including 49 international stars, the franchises are gearing up for the auction with a combined remaining budget of Rs 237.55 crore, indicating that an exciting bidding war is on the horizon. What’s Behind Harry Brook Not Entering the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction? A significant shadow looms over the auction with the noticeable absence of England's dynamic batter, Harry Brook, whose name was glaringly absent from the final shortlist. According to a report from the Times of India, this situation arises from a strict new rule implemented by the BCCI, which has officially barred the 25-year-old from taking part in the IPL 2026 auction and any following seasons until 2028. This unprecedented move was prompted by Brook’s track record of last-minute withdrawals from two consecutive seasons, including his exit from the IPL 2024 after being acquired by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 4 crore, and repeating this pattern a year later. Also Read | Explained: BCCI’s Salary Cap Rule Restricting Overseas Players’ IPL Earnings in 2026 This behavior led to considerable frustration among franchises, which pushed the BCCI to introduce a regulatory measure aimed at curbing such disruptive actions and ensuring team stability. The updated BCCI regulation clearly states that any player who registers for the auction, gets selected, and then makes themselves unavailable before the season kicks off will face an automatic ban from participating in the tournament and future player auctions for two full seasons. Brook’s sanction serves as a prime example of the strict enforcement of this new rule, making him the first overseas player to face such penalties and effectively sidelining him from the lucrative league until the 2028 mega auction. This decision clearly underscores the BCCI’s commitment to upholding the integrity and competitiveness of the IPL by ensuring greater reliability in player commitments. Financial Landscape and Top Base Prices at the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction The auction scene is really buzzing, and it’s clear that a handful of teams are leading the charge when it comes to spending. At the forefront, we have the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), boasting the biggest budget with a whopping Rs 64.3 crore, which puts them in a prime position to make some serious moves. Hot on their heels are the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who aren’t far behind with a solid Rs 43.4 crore to play with. When it comes to the players, the auction is heating up with 40 athletes who have set their base price at a hefty Rs 2 crore. This elite group is mostly filled with international talent, but it also includes two standout Indian players versatile Venkatesh Iyer and the in-demand leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, both of whom are sure to spark some fierce bidding wars in the early rounds. The majority of the auction pool is made up of newcomers, with 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped international players eager to land their first big league contract.