IPL 2026 auction: MI reunite Rohit Sharma-De Kock duo in smart Rs 1 cr deal

Mumbai Indians made a shrewd move at the IPL 2026 auction by bringing back Quinton de Kock for just Rs 1 crore, effectively confirming him as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner for the new season. Entering the auction with a tight budget of Rs 2.75 crore, the five-time champions spent wisely, snapping up the seasoned South African wicketkeeper-batter at his base price.

De Kock surprisingly drew little early interest from other franchises. MI initiated the bidding at Rs 1 crore and, with no challengers stepping in, wrapped up the deal quickly. The acquisition reunites a highly successful opening pair that played a major role in Mumbai’s dominance between 2019 and 2021. 

De Kock comes into the auction in strong form, having recently hammered a rapid 90 off 46 balls against India in a T20I at New Chandigarh. The 32-year-old was released by Kolkata Knight Riders after the 2025 season but remains one of the most accomplished overseas openers in the league.

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Across 115 IPL matches, De Kock has amassed 3,309 runs at an average of 30.63 and a strike rate of 134.02. Over the years, he has featured for six franchises—Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders. His most productive stint came with MI, where he was instrumental in their title triumphs in 2019 and 2020, scoring more than 500 runs in each season and forging a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma.

At a price of Rs 1 crore, De Kock represents outstanding value. His explosive left-handed batting, powerplay dominance, and reliable wicket-keeping add both strength and balance to Mumbai’s lineup.