The build-up to the IPL 2026 auction is gaining serious momentum, with just a few days left before franchises assemble in Abu Dhabi for one of the most keenly watched events on the cricket calendar. As always, discussions among fans and experts have centred on potential bidding wars, surprise picks, and players who might slip through the cracks.

Adding an interesting twist to the conversation, former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn was recently asked to name a cricketer who never played in the IPL but could have become the most expensive signing. Steyn’s answer was a nostalgic one. He picked Lance Klusener, a name that still commands immense respect in world cricket.

Widely regarded as one of the finest all-rounders of his era, Klusener was a destructive left-handed batter and a clever medium-pacer who thrived under pressure. His heroics in the 1999 ODI World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament, remain legendary. Klusener almost carried South Africa single-handedly to the final and finished the event with a reputation as one of the most clutch performers the game has seen.

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Across formats, Lance Klusener played more than 170 international matches, scoring over 3,500 runs and picking up in excess of 200 wickets. His ODI exploits, in particular, showcased the exact skill set that IPL franchises value highly today—power hitting, adaptability, and the ability to influence matches in multiple ways. However, he retired from international cricket in 2004, four years before the IPL was launched.

Steyn, who enjoyed a successful IPL career with franchises such as Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Lions, also named Allan Donald as a fast bowler who would have thrived in the league. He further suggested Allan Border as a captain who would have been a master tactician in the IPL, while Ravi Shastri, according to Steyn, could have been the face of any franchise.

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The IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16 will feature 359 players shortlisted from an original pool of 1,390. With 77 slots available—31 of them for overseas players—franchises will have plenty of strategic decisions to make. Kolkata Knight Riders enter with the biggest purse, followed by Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, setting the stage for a fascinating auction day.