Media365
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has predicted that overseas players will be in higher demand than Indian players during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Speaking on his Hindi YouTube channel ‘Ash ki Baat,’ Ashwin said it will be difficult for teams to find Indian players, and that new Indian players might be the main additions. He added that the costly picks are expected to be foreign players. Ashwin also said that releasing a major Indian player is a risky move for any franchise. He expects many Australian players to enter the auction and highlighted two all-rounders in particular—Mitchell Owen, who played three matches as a replacement for Punjab Kings, and Cameron Green. Both are likely to attract big bids as overseas all-rounders. He predicted that the mini-auction will see bidding reaching between Rs 25 to 30 crore for some players. Ashwin also mentioned that Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mayank Yadav could be among the high-profile Indian players entering the auction. Mayank was retained by LSG for Rs 11 crore but has played little due to injuries.
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Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, expected in November or December 2025, the trade window has already heated up. Top players like Sanju Samson and KL Rahul have reportedly drawn interest from teams such as Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, who want to strengthen their squads after disappointing seasons. Ashwin himself could be involved in trade discussions. Purchased by CSK for Rs 9.75 crore, he had an underwhelming season with just seven wickets in nine matches. Meanwhile, Samson has formally requested to be traded or released into the auction by Rajasthan Royals, citing major differences with the team management, according to a Cricbuzz report. As the IPL 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on how teams manage their squads amid these developments.
