Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes Australian all-rounders like Mitchell Owen and Cameron Green could be the costliest buys in the IPL 2026 mini auction. Ashwin reckons it would be hard to get Indian players in the auction.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Owen made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings against Rajasthan Royals, but he was dismissed for a blob.
On the other hand, Cameron Green has scored 707 runs in 29 IPL matches at an impressive average of 41.59. Green has also scalped 16 wickets in the lucrative tournament.
Ashwin reckons foreign players will be in demand in the upcoming auction.
“This will be a mini auction where you’ll find it tough to get Indian players. Maybe only new players will come. The costly picks will be overseas players,” Ashwin said, speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat’.
“A franchise releasing a big Indian player is a very risky formula. So many Australian players will come in the auction,” Ashwin stated.
“You’ve got Mitchell Owen, who was a replacement player for three games for the Punjab Kings. Then you’ve got someone like Cameron Green coming into the auction. They’ll go at a big price because they are foreign all-rounders,” Ashwin elaborated.
“The mini-auction will be a game of Rs 25-30 crore for all teams,” Ashwin stated.
On the other hand, Ashwin revealed he has asked for clarity on his IPL future from Chennai Super Kings, while reacting to reports that he wants to part ways with the five-time champions.
“I played three years for RR,” Ashwin said on his YouTube show. “After my 1st year, I got an email from the CEO saying this is your performance, this is our expectation, and we’re renewing your contract. It’s one plus one plus one – the contract renewal. After every season, it’s the responsibility of the franchise to communicate to the player if they’re retaining or releasing him.
“With regard to news about me or Sanju – obviously, a player has the right to express interest [if he wishes to be retained or not]. Every player seeks clarity. As things stand, it’s not in my hands. I’ve just asked for clarity. The situation we’re in, all the news floating around, none of it is coming from the players. Even with Sanju’s news, it’s rumours or it’s coming from the franchise’s side. I don’t know who is making this news.”
