3 foreign players who received an IPL contract for the first time
3 foreign players who received an IPL contract for the first time: The IPL 2026 mini-auction concluded on Tuesday, December 16th. While many big and established players fetched bids worth crores of rupees, some foreign players also had a very special moment.
These players successfully secured their first IPL contracts, which is considered a major milestone in their careers. Let’s take a look at the 3 foreign players who got the opportunity to play in the IPL for the first time in 2026.
3. Jack Edwards – SRH (Australia)
Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹3 crore. After a tough bidding war with CSK, SRH secured his services.
Edwards plays for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League and has the ability to contribute with both bat and ball. At SRH, he will have the opportunity to learn from experienced players like Pat Cummins and Travis Head, which could play a crucial role in his development.
2. Cooper Connolly – PBKS (Australia)
Young Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly was bought by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹3 crore. The 22-year-old Connolly is a left-handed batsman who can provide stability in the middle order and also has the ability to finish matches when needed. He also bowls left-arm spin, which can prove quite useful on Indian pitches.
Cooper Connolly has consistently performed well for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL). He has scored 636 runs and taken 12 wickets so far. He has also played for the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC). Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and the guidance of coach Ricky Ponting, he will be eager to prove himself in the IPL.
1. Jacob Duffy – RCB (New Zealand)
New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for ₹2 crore. This is his first IPL contract. Duffy has an impressive T20 record, with a bowling average of around 17 and an economy rate of approximately 7. He is known for his accurate line and length and disciplined bowling.
Although he doesn’t have much experience in franchise cricket, he has played in tournaments like The Hundred and the T20 Blast. At RCB, he could play a crucial role as a backup for Josh Hazlewood.