Cameron Green Set for Record IPL Bid with Clever Auction Move

The IPL 2026 mini auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, promises high drama as 359 players are set to go under the hammer. The BCCI initially shortlisted 350 names from an original pool of 1,005, but later added nine more players to finalize the list. Among them, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has emerged as the most anticipated figure, with experts already predicting that he could trigger the highest bid of the auction.

What sets Green apart this year is not just his all-round ability, but the strategic move he made ahead of the auction. Despite being known primarily as a seam-bowling all-rounder, Green has entered the auction under the batters' category. This was a calculated decision, considering that batters are placed in the first auction set, giving him the advantage of being bid on before franchises begin exhausting their limited purse in this mini auction scenario.

In mini auctions, teams enter with far tighter budgets compared to mega auctions, making early-entry players significantly more valuable. Had Green chosen the all-rounders' category, he would have appeared in the second set, by which time franchises may have already spent a major chunk of their funds. His decision increases the likelihood of a fierce bidding contest when his name is announced, potentially driving his price to record-breaking levels.

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Joining Green in the first set are notable overseas names such as New Zealand’s Devon Conway, Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk, and South Africa’s experienced finisher David Miller. India’s Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw also feature in this opening group, though with a lower base price of ₹75 lakh compared to the ₹2 crore mark set by the overseas stars. This opening set is expected to be among the most competitive portions of the auction, attracting aggressive bids from multiple franchises.

Cameron Green’s previous IPL stints further boost his value. He represented Mumbai Indians in 2023 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024, delivering impressive numbers. Across 29 matches, he accumulated 707 runs at a strike rate of 153.69, including a century and two fifties, while also taking 16 wickets with the ball. His dual-impact potential makes him one of the rare players who can fit into multiple roles, strengthening his case as the most coveted name this season.

Meanwhile, the updated auction list has also drawn attention to a few new additions, including rising Indian talent Swastik Chikara. The uncapped batter, who played a role in RCB’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2025, is considered one of the most promising young names in the final roster. With a blend of global superstars and emerging domestic prospects, the IPL 2026 mini auction is set to deliver drama, surprises, and possibly the most expensive purchase in IPL history.

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