Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered into IPL 2026 Mini-Auction With one of the biggest purses in the room in Abu Dhabi, signaling big intentions for change at its core for the future. Known for his calculated approach, the five-time champions made waves by aggressively pursuing a mix of high-impact international stars and expensive domestic untapped talent. However, despite their financial strength, the franchise faced significant scrutiny for its strategic decisions during marquee bidding wars.
Ravichandran Ashwin offers no-nonsense assessment of CSK’s IPL 2026 auction strategy
Former CSK legend Ravichandran Ashwin Provided a candid assessment of the franchise’s performance, particularly highlighting their unsuccessful search for an Australian all-rounder cameron green,
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin suggested that Super Kings missed a trick by not showing enough conviction when it mattered most. He observed that while CSK had participated in a bidding war that saw Green’s price rise to a record ₹25.20 crore, their efforts seemed to outweigh “Need more than intention” This shows a lack of complete commitment to the player. Ashwin said that his own mock auction had shown that Green was unlikely to cross the ₹30 crore mark, and he felt Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Had he been forced to be more patient, CSK would have had a clear window to secure him.
Ashwin stressed that the Australian is a “generational talent” whose presence could redefine the team’s middle-order balance. According to Ashwin, the price point should have been secondary to the rare skill set Green offers, and by letting him go to a rival, CSK would have let one of the most important acquisitions of the season pass them by.
“Personally, I thought Cameron Green would be a fantastic addition to CSK, and in that sense, they might have missed a trick. That said, it’s not about the price point. Cameron Green is a generational talent, and for KKR, he is an excellent acquisition,Ashwin said.
Also read: IPL 2026: Who is Prashant Veer? ‘Next Ravindra Jadeja’ for CSK
IPL 2026 auction: CSK’s strategic shift towards untapped Indian youth
After the disappointment of the Green saga, CSK quickly moved towards an aggressive youth-first policy while breaking records to secure the future of Indian cricket. The franchise stunned the auction chamber by spending a combined ₹28.40 crore on two uncapped players: the all-rounder Prashant Veer and wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik SharmaBoth were bought for ₹14.20 crore. This investment reflects deep confidence in domestic scouting over the premium placed on established international names, which often carry inflated price tags.
By securing left-arm spinner and power-hitter Veer, CSK aim to fill the tactical void left by Ravindra Jadeja, while Sharma is being groomed as the long-term successor behind the stumps. The move represents a classic CSK gamble, prioritizing value-creation over star-buying, as was seen with the players last season Ruturaj Gaikwad And Mathisha Pathirana,
While the high prices for untapped talent have raised eyebrows, management is confident that these generational Indian prospects will provide better long-term returns than an expensive foreign recruit. Whether this tilt towards domestic gems can compensate for the shortcomings identified by Ashwin will be the defining story of the Super Kings’ 2026 campaign as they look to add a sixth trophy to their cabinet.
Also read: Who is Karthik Sharma? Record-breaker of ₹14.2 crore signed by CSK
