5 Players To Play IPL For The 1st Time In 2026

5 Players To Play IPL For The 1st Time In 2026: The mini-auction for IPL 2026, which took place on December 16, proved to be a life-altering experience for many international cricketers. When teams engaged in extravagant bids for star performers, this event created opportunities for some talented international cricketers who received IPL contracts for the first time in their lives.

Being chosen for the Indian Premier League is an important achievement for any cricketer, and now they have the chance to prove themselves on the largest T20 platform in the world.

5 Players To Play IPL For The 1st Time In 2026

1. Jack Edwards (Australia) – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards received his first-ever IPL call as he was purchased for ₹3 crores by Sunrisers Hyderabad. There was stiff competition from Chennai, but Hyderabad won the bid.

Edwards currently plays for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, and one of his strengths is that he has the capacity to perform with both bat and ball. Another quality about Edwards that may benefit him positively in the IPL experience will be that the coaching staff will comprise experienced IPL coaches.

2. Cooper Connolly (Australia) – Punjab Kings

Young Australian talents Cooper Connolly was picked up by the Punjab Kings for a sum of ₹3 crore. He is a 22-year-old left-handed batsman who has the Potential to pull through difficult situations in a match.

Connolly also has the ability to bowl left-arm spin, which may help him on Indian surfaces. After performing satisfactorily in the Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers and playing in Major League Cricket, he will want to make an impact in Indian conditions in his inaugural IPL season.

3. Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Jacob Duffy, a fast bowler for New Zealand, earned his maiden IPL deal when Royal Challengers Bangalore recruited him for a total of ₹2 crores.

Duffy is also known for his disciplined bowling and being able to set tight lines and lengths, which is beneficial to his game in T20 cricket. Despite his limited experience playing for franchises, his performance levels qualify him to be included within RCB’s fast bowling unit.

4. Ben Dwarshuis (Australia) – Punjab Kings

Seasoned Aussie pacer Ben Dwarshuis will also make his IPL debut after impressing with his performance over the past couple of seasons in domestic as well as T20 leagues.

Although he was known by the name Kings XI Punjab (2018) and Delhi Capitals (2021) before that, he did not have a chance to play a match. However, in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Punjab Kings purchased this player for ₹4.40 crores, which is much more than his base price of ₹1 crore. It will be his first experience playing IPL 2026.

5. Jordan Cox (England) – Royal Challengers Bangalore

England’s explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, Jordan Cox, is also an exciting prospect in the list of 5 Players to play IPL For the 1st Time.

At merely 25, Cox has already played for England in 3 ODIs and 6 T20I matches. In his international T20 career, he has scored a total of 3,744 runs in 163 matches with a substantial strike rate of approximately 141. Realizing his potential, RCB snapped him up for the base price of 75 lakhs. This has to be one of the best deals of the 2026 mini-auction.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Best Deals At IPL 2026 Auction: Smart Purchases That Slipped Under The Radar