Sri Lanka, Dec. 15 -- As the IPL 2026 mini-auction approaches, Sri Lankan fans will once again watch closely, hoping one of their stars will command a record-breaking bid. However, history suggests otherwise, with no Sri Lankan player ever featuring among the top five most expensive buys in an IPL mini-auction - a list dominated by Australian and English match-winners.

The IPL 2026 mini-auction will be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16, with 360 players in the pool and 77 slots to be filled across the 10 franchises. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter the auction with the largest purse of Rs 64.3 crore, setting the stage for another big-spending event.

Here's a look at the five most expensiv...