Budding Perth Scorchers superstar Cooper Connolly could attract a massive pay-day when he finds himself under the hammer in the IPL auction for the first time on Tuesday night.

Cam Green is also set to fetch millions in his return to the world’s premier T20 competition, but the all-rounder’s earnings may be capped by recently-introduced limitations on how much overseas players can be paid.

Connolly’s all-round package of destructive batting — as shown in his match-winning 59 from only 31 balls in the Scorchers’ season-opening BBL victory over Sydney Sixers on Sunday — and left-arm spin bowling is set to make him an attractive proposition for franchises.

The Justin Langer-coached Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are among the sides who have been credited with an interest in acquiring the 22-year-old, who has listed at the maximum base price of INR ₹200 lakh (approximately $AUD330,000).

Ahead of the start of the BBL season, Connolly said playing in the IPL would grant him the chance to compete alongside and against the world’s best cricketers.

“I’ve put my name in for a reason. It would be a nice opportunity to go play there,” Connolly told ESPN.

“(I’m) looking forward to sitting down and watching the auction.

“It would be a nice honour to go to the IPL. It’s exciting.”

Among the 350 players who will be auctioned off in the event in Abu Dhabi, Connolly’s name will come up 154th, which may leave him with a nervous wait as teams use their available funds on other players.

Green, who has spent one IPL season each with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, missed the 2025 edition of the tournament as he recovered from back surgery.

A scarcity of quality all-rounders in the pool of available players has led to some suggestions he could break the record for the largest price ever paid for a player, which was set last year when Super Giants acquired Indian superstar Rishabh Pant for approximately $5 million.

But regardless of the value of the winning bid, Green’s earnings will be capped at a maximum of approximately $3 million due to a newly-introduced rule implemented to stop players from solely registering for ‘mini-auctions’ where fewer are available.

Green’s hopes of securing a big deal were bolstered when he was revealed to be the third player who will be available for bidding on the night.

He was listed by the league as a batter rather than an all-rounder but confirmed on Sunday he would be available to bowl in the tournament, attributing the error to a “stuff-up” from his manager.

“I think he accidentally selected the wrong box. It was pretty funny how it’s all played out,” Green said.

Josh Inglis has also listed at the maximum base price, but may find a deal hard to come by after he reportedly informed organisers his availability for the season would be limited by his upcoming wedding.

The wicketkeeper-batter performed strongly in his first IPL campaign with the Ricky Ponting-coached Punjab Kings last season, scoring 278 runs across 11 games, but was reportedly released ahead of the auction due to concerns over his availability.

WA fast bowlers Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff have listed at slightly under the maximum price, with first bids for the pair set to be invited from approximately $AUD250,000.

Australia’s stand-in Test captain Steve Smith, who will be looking to return to the IPL for the first time since 2021, is one of six Australians to enter the auction at the maximum price, alongside Connolly, Green, Inglis, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Sean Abbott.

Pat Cummins and Travis Head were both retained by their franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad in the lead-up to the auction.