Mallika Sagar is back as the auctioneer for the IPL 2026 mini auction. With this, she continues to break barriers in a space that was once dominated by men. After handling previous IPL auctions successfully, she becomes the first woman to conduct multiple IPL auctions, showing the trust the BCCI has placed in her experience and calm authority.
Who Is Mallika Sagar?
Mallika Sagar is a highly respected auctioneer with more than 20 years of experience. She has worked in both sports and art auctions and is known for handling high-pressure rooms with ease.
Before stepping into Indian sports auctions, she built a strong name in the art world. She worked with well-known institutions like Christie’s, Pundoles, and Art India Consultants. Her global recognition came in the year 2000 when she led Christie’s first-ever Modern Indian Art auction in New York. With that, she became the first Indian-origin woman to achieve this milestone.
Her Journey in Indian Sports Auctions
Mallika Sagar first made history in Indian sports in 2021. She became the first female auctioneer in Pro Kabaddi League history. This was a major step forward and opened doors for more representation.
In 2023, she was chosen to conduct the first-ever Women’s Premier League auction. This decision was widely appreciated, as it matched the spirit of a women-led tournament. Since then, she has handled major cricket auctions, including the IPL 2024 mini auction, IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, and the WPL 2026 auction in New Delhi.
Now, she returns once again for the IPL 2026 mini auction.
IPL Auctioneers Over the Years
Over the years, the IPL auction has seen different auctioneers take charge:
- Richard Madley handled auctions from 2008 to 2018
- Hugh Edmeades led auctions in 2018 and from 2021 to 2023
- Charu Sharma conducted the auction in 2022
- Mallika Sagar has been the auctioneer from 2024 to 2026
Her consistent presence shows how important her role has become in the IPL setup.
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IPL 2026 Mini Auction Details
The IPL 2026 mini auction is being held today at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The auction will begin at 2:30 PM IST. Even though it is called a mini auction, the pressure and expectations remain very high.
A total of 369 players are listed for the auction, but only 77 slots are available. Out of these, 31 slots are reserved for overseas players. This makes every bid important.
Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings enter the auction with a combined purse of Rs 107.70 crore. Both teams are expected to bid aggressively to strengthen their squads.
Players to Watch at the Auction
Several big names are expected to attract attention during the auction. Cameron Green is likely to be one of the most talked-about players. Along with him, players like Ravi Bishnoi, Liam Livingstone, and David Miller are also expected to receive strong bids.
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