Ravichandran Ashwin spills the beans on the biggest IPL auction buy after Sanju Samson interview

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin predicted the costliest player at the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) mini-auction. Ashwin stated that overseas cricketers like Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen are likely to dominate the bidding due to the limited availability of top Indian players.

Several teams endured disappointing campaigns in IPL 2025, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) finishing at the bottom of the table. Their underwhelming performances have fueled speculation of major changes ahead of the mini-auction, expected in November or December.

The Costly Picks Will Be Overseas Players - Ravichandran Ashwin on IPL 2026 Mini Auction

Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin said that teams are likely to target big names such as Cameron Green, who missed IPL 2025 due to a stress fracture. The spinner questioned whether a franchise should keep or release a big Indian player, calling it a very risky formula.

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"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. So, whether a franchise wants to keep or release a big Indian player, it’s a very risky formula. So many Australian players will come in the auction,” Ashwin said.

Mitchell Owen, Cameron Green Will Go at a Big Price Because… - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin said that Cameron Green and Mitchell Owen will be among the most in-demand players at the auction. The all-rounder predicted that franchises could spend up to ₹25-30 crore to secure their services.

"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. The mini-auction will be a game of Rs 25-30 crore for all teams," Ashwin stated.

Mumbai Indians signed Cameron Green for ₹17.5 crore in IPL 2023. However, he moved to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru through a trade ahead of the 2024 season.

LSG Could Release Mayank Yadav - Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin hinted that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) might consider releasing pacer Mayank Yadav ahead of the mini-auction. Mayank, who was retained for ₹11 crore, has struggled with recurring injuries and played only a few matches last season, which could put him in the auction pool.

"So, you might want to release your purse. And there’s a possibility that someone like LSG could leave someone like Mayank Yadav," Ashwin said.

It’s worth mentioning that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are reportedly interested in players like Sanju Samson and KL Rahul as they look to recover from their underwhelming IPL 2025 campaigns.

Samson requested a trade or release from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) due to disagreements with the team management. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was bought by CSK for ₹9.75 crore but managed only seven wickets in nine matches, is also being considered a likely name in trade discussions.

Also read: Akash Deep drops don’t care verdict on Virat Kohli’s absence, echoes Gautam Gambhir’s ‘team-first’ mantra