Dinesh Karthik, RCB Confess Of Deliberately Inflating This Player's Price In IPL Auction

Dinesh Karthik with Virat Kohli in IPL [Source: X]

Auction room dynamics are always interesting, and it is as much a battle as the cricketers play on the field. The strategists and management for each franchise in the IPL are the planners of this otherwise non-clashing auction war. 

However, a recent RCB video has revealed how Dinesh Karthik & Co. managed to manipulate other teams with bidding strategies for Liam Livingstone.

The England all-rounder, who is currently one of the hottest topics of discussion because of his recent form and has acquired a Glenn Maxwell-like stature, was sold in the IPL 2026 auction for INR 13.00 crore. Dinesh Karthik revealed how he managed to anticipate and inflate the price of Liam Livingstone at the auction table.

RCB Aimed For Cameron Green With Auction Room Dynamics

In a candid discussion from an RCB video named “Auction Planning”, Dinesh Karthik shed light on the team’s strategic thinking, particularly around devising a strategy to inflate Liam Livingstone’s price and plotting to get Cam Green.

Cameron Green was one of the biggest attractions in the IPL 2026 auction, eventually being sold to KKR for INR 25.2 crore. The hard-hitting batter attracted over 110 bids, with RCB not entering the race due to their limited purse.

Mumbai Indians initiated the bidding war alongside Rajasthan Royals, with KKR steadily pushing the price higher. Chennai Super Kings joined the contest later, but it was Kolkata who ultimately secured Green.

Also Read: Sarfaraz Ahmed Exposes The 1 Mole In Pakistan Team Behind All The Fights After Retirement

Dinesh Karthik Reveals Secret Plan To Inflate Livingstone’s Demand

Although failed, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter detailed how the franchise mapped out a price range for the top buy Cameron Green and how they could have navigated the bidding dynamics.

“These two teams, KKR and CSK, will fight for Green. So let's assume Green goes at 25-27,” Karthik said.

Karthik’s statement reflected a calculated approach, where the franchise anticipated a high-value bid for the Australian all-rounder and planned accordingly for Livingstone, whom they let go ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.

Livingstone, whom Karthik believed would have attracted massive interest at the auction table, compared him to Glenn Maxwell. Karthik suggested that Livingstone’s demand across franchises could lead to a significant price surge.

“And our guy who's gonna get a big paycheck, and I think he should thank us, is Liam Livingstone. He's going for big money. He's the new Maxwell in town, I feel,” Karthik said.

Karthik Plotted Strategy To Get Cam Green

He further explained that multiple teams, including CSK, KKR, and LSG, would be keen on securing Livingstone, making him one of the hottest properties in the mini auction. He then elaborated on how RCB could use this competitive interest to their advantage, effectively driving up Livingstone’s price while keeping their focus on Green.

“In this mini auction, he's gonna go for big money. Because CSK like him, KKR like him, LSG, he fits. So I'm assuming he'll have a proper bidding war. So again, he could be 10-15, I feel. That's how you're gonna get Green,” Dinesh Karthik revealed.

Liam Livingstone Ready For IPL 2026

Notably, Livingstone, whom RCB released ahead of the auction, also garnered 56 bids with a base price of ₹2 crore. Franchises like KKR, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants bid for him, with LSG and SRH involved in the most intense paddle wars.

He was ultimately sold to all-rounder lacking Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹13 crore, significantly increasing his salary from RCB’s ₹8.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

Also Read: CSK Roar Event: Live Streaming, Time, Tickets, Date, Where To Watch, Performers