Kolkata Knight Riders may have secured Cameron Green with a massive ₹25.20 crore winning bid in the IPL 2026 mock auction, but the Australian all‑rounder will not receive the full amount due to the league’s “maximum fee” cap for overseas players. According to IPL’s payment structure, foreign players have a fixed upper limit on the salary they can draw, regardless of how high the franchise’s auction bid goes. As a result, Green will earn ₹18 crore, which is the maximum permissible payout for an overseas cricketer under current regulations.
This rule was introduced to maintain financial balance across teams and prevent disproportionate salary gaps between domestic and overseas players. While franchises are free to bid aggressively to secure top international talent, the cap ensures that the actual player compensation remains within a controlled bracket. The remaining amount from the winning bid is absorbed into the league’s financial system and does not go directly to the player.
For KKR, the ₹25.20 crore bid reflects their strong intent to build a squad around high‑impact all‑rounders capable of influencing all phases of the game. Green’s explosive batting, seam‑bowling utility, and fielding excellence make him a valuable asset, and the franchise was willing to push the bidding war to secure him. However, the salary cap rule means that while KKR pays the full auction amount from their purse, Green’s personal earnings remain capped at ₹18 crore.
This situation highlights a recurring debate among fans and analysts about whether the IPL should revisit its overseas salary cap, especially as auction bids continue to break new records. For now, though, the rule stands firm, and Cameron Green joins the list of top‑priced overseas players whose auction value exceeds their actual take‑home pay.
