IPL auction: Why CSK offered Rs 14.2 crore for Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, says coach Stephen Fleming | Cricket News
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has explained the thinking behind the franchise’s biggest moves in the IPL 2026 auction, following the record signings of Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. CSK stunned the auction table on Tuesday by securing uncapped wicket-keeper hitter Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.2 crore. The 19-year-old became the most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL history, a record he now shares with Prashant Veer, who was also snapped up by CSK for the same amount. Fleming said the franchise was monitoring Kartik closely and felt the time was right to act.
“We have been monitoring Kartik for a while. He was with us last year,” Fleming was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “We needed Prashant’s skills after the Jadeja trade.” Prashant Veer, an all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, attracted keen interest during the auction. Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad were all involved in the auction before CSK stayed till the end to land the youngster for Rs 14.20 crore. Fleming suggested the aggressive approach was shaped by lessons learned during the previous season. “In all honesty, as the game evolved, maybe it took us a while to evolve with it,” Fleming said. “Halfway through the tournament, we made a big change. The work we did then allowed us to continue that work now.” Elsewhere at the auction, Cameron Green made headlines after being sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 25.20 crore. The Australian all-rounder became the most expensive foreign player in the history of the IPL and the third most expensive player overall. Rajasthan Royals left the auction at around Rs 13 crore before CSK pushed the price beyond Rs 25 crore, only for KKR to seal the deal with the final bid. Despite the winning bid of Rs 25.2 crore, Green will earn Rs 18 crore for the 2026 season, as per IPL regulations for foreign players. Green brings with him an impressive track record. He has scored 521 runs in 21 T20Is at an average of 32.56 and a strike rate of 160.30, alongside 12 wickets. In all of T20 cricket, he has 1,334 runs in 63 matches, including a century, and 28 wickets. In the IPL, he played for Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring 707 runs in 29 matches and taking 16 wickets, before missing last season due to injury.
