The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season concluded in spectacular fashion as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defended their title by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at Ahmedabad. While performances on the field ultimately determined the outcome of the tournament, the auction once again played a crucial role in shaping each franchise’s campaign.
Teams invested heavily in several players during the mini-auction, hoping they would become match-winners throughout the season. However, not every expensive signing managed to justify the price tag. Injuries, lack of opportunities, and inconsistent form affected the performances of several high-profile acquisitions.
Here are the top 5 auction picks and how they performed in IPL 2026:
5. Liam Livingstone (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – INR 13 crore
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was one of the biggest overseas signings at the auction, with Sunrisers Hyderabad securing his services for INR 13.00 crore. Known for his explosive batting and useful spin bowling, Livingstone was expected to provide balance to the squad.
However, his campaign never got going. He featured in only two matches during the season and managed to score just 15 runs. Due to limited opportunities, the Englishman failed to make the impact that SRH had hoped for when they invested heavily in him.
