New Delhi, Dec. 16 -- The IPL 2026 auction has begun in Abu Dhabi, where the fate of 369 players will be decided. The 10 franchises need to fill 77 slots, with each allowed a maximum squad size of 25 players, including up to eight overseas players. Holding the hammer once again will be Mallika Sagar, the first-ever female auctioneer in the IPL, who will be at the helm for the fourth consecutive time.

The 50-year-old Sagar first grabbed the spotlight during the 2023 IPL auction, where she ably took charge after veteran auctioneer Hugh Edmeades collapsed. Since then, Sagar has led the 2024 mini-auction, last year's mega-auction, and now the 2026 IPL auction.

Born in 1975 in Mumbai, Sagar holds a degree in Art History from Bryn Mawr Colleg...