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IPL 2026 Auction: Why David Miller Could Be a Top-3 Costliest Buy

Former India coach Sanjay Bangar has shared his insights on potential big-money buys for the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. He predicts South African finisher David Miller will be among the three most expensive players due to high demand for his closing skills. Bangar also flagged England's Jonny Bairstow as a hot prospect because of his versatility and full tournament availability. Franchises like Gujarat Titans, KKR, and Delhi Capitals are expected to be key bidders for these marquee players.

Key Points: Sanjay Bangar Predicts David Miller Among IPL 2026's Most Expensive

  • Sanjay Bangar highlights David Miller's value as a proven finisher for teams struggling in death overs
  • Bangar specifically links Gujarat Titans and KKR as potential suitors for Miller's experience
  • Jonny Bairstow's dual role as batter-keeper and full T20 availability boosts his auction stock
  • Delhi Capitals and KKR are cited as possible destinations for Bairstow to address top-order gaps
2 min read

IPL 2026: Miller will likely be among the three most expensive players, opines Bangar

Sanjay Bangar names David Miller and Jonny Bairstow as top IPL 2026 auction prospects. Find out which teams are likely to bid fiercely for the veteran finisher.

"David Miller will likely be among the top three most expensive players in this auction. - Sanjay Bangar"

New Delhi, Dec 14

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has identified several marquee players who are expected to attract intense bidding from franchises looking to address key gaps in their squads, as the build-up to the IPL 2026 auction gathers pace. Among them, South African veteran David Miller has emerged as one of the most sought-after names, with Bangar predicting a fierce contest between franchises.

Miller's reputation as a proven finisher continues to make him a valuable asset in the shortest format, particularly for teams struggling to close out innings in the death overs. Highlighting the growing demand for experience in high-pressure situations, Bangar believes the left-hander could be among the costliest buys at the auction.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Bangar said, "David Miller will likely be among the top three most expensive players in this auction. Several teams need a player with his finishing ability -- Gujarat Titans, for instance, would benefit from his experience, while Kolkata Knight Riders could target him too, especially with Andre Russell's retirement and a healthy purse at their disposal."

In addition to Miller, Bangar also drew attention to England's Jonny Bairstow, whose versatility and availability could significantly enhance his market value. Bairstow's ability to contribute both as a top-order batter and as a wicketkeeper makes him an attractive option for franchises seeking balance and depth in their line-ups.

"Jonny Bairstow offers dual value as a wicketkeeper and a top-order batter. He has a proven pedigree and, since he's currently focused solely on T20 cricket, his full availability makes him an even stronger prospect. Teams like Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders could be in the mix -- Delhi need a top-order option after releasing Jake Fraser-McGurk, while KKR might also look at him given their limited choices beyond Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz." he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Absolutely agree! Miller is a match-winner. Remember his innings for GT in the 2023 final? Pure class under pressure. KKR should go all out for him, they need a reliable finisher badly. 💥
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Aman W
Bairstow is the smarter pick here. A proper opener who can keep wickets? That's like two players in one salary slot. Delhi Capitals, please don't mess this up!
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Sarah B
Interesting analysis. As a neutral fan, I love watching Miller bat. But the auction dynamics are crazy. Some team will panic and pay 20 crore for him, I can feel it!
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Karthik V
All this talk about foreign players... What about our own Indian talent? There are so many good finishers in domestic cricket who never get a proper run in the IPL. Franchises need to look inwards sometimes.
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Nisha Z
Miller is worth every penny if he can win you 3-4 close games a season. That's the difference between finishing in the top 4 and being at the bottom. Experience matters in the IPL. GT, bring him back! 🙏

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