‘Missed a little thing’: Ravichandran Ashwin provided blunt assessment of CSK’s performance in IPL 2026 auction
THE Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi with one of the largest exchanges in the coin, signaling a massive intention to overhaul their core for the future. Known for their calculated approach, the five-time champions have made waves by aggressively pursuing a mix of high-impact international stars and uncapped, expensive domestic talent. However, despite their financial might, the franchise has faced scrutiny for their tactical decisions during marquee bidding wars.
Ravichandran Ashwin offers a pragmatic assessment of CSK’s IPL 2026 bidding strategy
Former CSK pillar Ravichandran Ashwin provided a blunt assessment of the franchise’s performance, particularly highlighting the failure of their quest for the Australian all-rounder. Cameron Green.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin suggested that the Super Kings missed a trick by not showing enough conviction when it mattered the most. He observed that even though CSK participated in the bidding war that saw Green’s price soar to a record ₹25.20 crore, their efforts seemed to come more from “necessity rather than intention” indicating a lack of complete commitment to the player. Ashwin noted that his own mock auction had shown that Green was unlikely to surpass the ₹30 crore mark, and he estimated that if Calcutta Knights Riders (KKR) had been forced to be more patient, CSK could have had a clearer window to secure him.
Ashwin highlighted that the Australian is a “generational talent” whose presence could have redefined the team’s middle-order balance. According to Ashwin, price should have been secondary to the rare skills Green offered, and by passing him on to a rival, CSK may have passed up one of the most important acquisitions of the season.
“Personally, I thought Cameron Green would have been a great addition to CSK, and in that sense, they may have missed a little trick. That said, it’s not about price. Cameron Green is a generational talent, and for KKR, he is an exceptional acquisition.“Ashwin said.
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IPL 2026 auction: CSK’s strategic shift towards uncapped Indian youth
Following the disappointment of the Green saga, CSK shifted heavily towards an aggressive youth-oriented policy, breaking records to secure the future of Indian cricket. The franchise stunned the auction house by spending a combined ₹28.40 crore on two uncapped players: an all-rounder. Prashant Veer and wicketkeeper-batsman Kartik Sharmaboth acquired for ₹14.20 crore each. This investment reflects a deep-rooted confidence in domestic oversight of the premium placed on established international names that often post inflated prices.
By securing Veer, a left-arm spinner and power hitter, CSK aims to fill the tactical void left by Ravindra Jadeja, while Sharma is being groomed as a long-term successor behind the stumps. The move represents a classic CSK gamble, prioritizing value creation over star buying, as seen in previous seasons with players like Giikwad Travel And Matheesha Pathirana.
Although the high prices for uncapped talent have raised eyebrows, management appears confident that these generational Indian prospects will deliver better long-term returns than a single expensive foreign recruit. Whether this pivot to the domestic jewels can make up for the missed turn 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.
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