'Logic Fails Me’: Aakash Chopra on IPL Teams Ignoring Proven Overseas Stars
Aakash Chopra stunned as top players go unsold.
Former Indian Opener and prominent cricket Commentator Aakash Chopra has openly expressed his disbelief and frustration regarding the unexpected outcomes of the IPL 2026 mega auction, particularly focusing on three accomplished overseas cricketers—New Zealand's dynamic All-rounder Michael Bracewell, England's promising Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, and seasoned campaigner Jonny Bairstow—who failed to attract a single bid despite their proven credentials and potential fit for multiple franchises.
Chopra dedicated significant attention to Bracewell's case on his YouTube channel, praising the Kiwi's exceptional abilities as a lower-order batsman capable of explosive contributions and a reliable off-spinner, vividly recalling his memorable century against India in Hyderabad while questioning why no team pursued him, especially when outfits like Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants appeared in need of precisely such a versatile spinning all-rounder resource.
Shifting focus to Jamie Smith, the emerging England talent, Chopra labelled him a "gun player" with the flexibility to bat anywhere in the order while providing solid wicketkeeping options, voicing utter bewilderment at the young star's name being repeatedly entered into accelerated bidding rounds only to be met with complete silence from all ten franchises, admitting that logical reasoning entirely failed him in this instance.
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The veteran analyst reserved similar incredulity for Jonny Bairstow, highlighting the English opener's impressive limited-overs pedigree and his impactful performances as an injury replacement for Mumbai Indians in the prior season, pointing out the apparent contradiction in other international wicketkeeper-batters and aggressive top-order players securing contracts while Bairstow, fully available for the entire tournament, was overlooked.
Amidst the auction's headline-grabbing moments—such as Cameron Green's record Rs 25.20 crore move to Kolkata Knight Riders and lucrative deals for rising domestic prospects—these high-profile omissions underscore the often unpredictable and strategic complexities of franchise decision-making, leaving analysts like Chopra and fans alike pondering the missed opportunities presented by these established international performers with substantial T20 statistics across global leagues.
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