Cameron Green Tipped to Trigger Bidding War at IPL 2026 Auction, Says Aakash Chopra
Former India opener and renowned cricket analyst Aakash Chopra believes Australian all-rounder Cameron Green could become the most expensive purchase at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Green, who has previously turned out for both Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, missed the IPL 2025 season after suffering a lower-spine stress fracture during Australia’s tour of England. However, Chopra feels the 25-year-old’s comeback has been so impressive that franchises are likely to break the bank to secure his services.
“Cameron Green — I think he’ll be the most expensive player in the auction,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “Since he got back from injury, he’s been batting amazingly. He’s not bowling yet, but he will start soon. Once that happens, teams will pay a lot for him because of his all-round value.”
Green recently reminded everyone of his match-winning ability in Australia’s T20 series against South Africa in Darwin, where he blasted 35 off just 13 balls to help secure a 17-run win. At one stage he had raced to 31 off 9 deliveries and was close to breaking the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Australian (16 balls). He eventually departed for a whirlwind 35, but sent a powerful reminder of what he can do at the top of the order.
In IPL 2024, Green amassed 255 runs at a strike rate of 143.25 in 12 games for RCB — combining clean hitting with the ability to finish games. According to Chopra, once Green adds bowling back to his skillset, his stock will skyrocket.
“Right now he’s batting higher because he’s not bowling. But once he starts bowling again, he becomes a premium all-rounder. This auction might be all about Cameron Green,” Chopra added.
With several franchises expected to overhaul their squads at the IPL 2026 auction, Cameron Green’s name is increasingly being seen as the headline act — potentially setting up a record-shattering bidding war.
Aakash Chopra Praises Mumbai Indians’ Talent Spotting, Urges Patience with Overseas Players
Apart from predicting a blockbuster IPL 2026 auction for Cameron Green, cricket analyst Aakash Chopra also highlighted the Mumbai Indians’ knack for spotting young talent before other franchises. He specifically mentioned players like Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Tim David, and Cameron Green, all of whom were part of the team at different points but eventually moved on.
“Mumbai Indians always find these players early. I’ll mention four players they had but let go — maybe they could have managed their overseas players better. They had Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Tim David, and Cameron Green all in one year. All were in the same team, and now none of them are with the team,” Chopra said.
Chopra praised the franchise’s ability to spot raw talent but also suggested that patience is key when it comes to overseas players, especially young stars who are still developing.
“They are patient with Indian players, so maybe they need to give their international players a bit more time. They let them go when they’re not polished, but with time, they can become real stars,” he added.
With IPL 2026 on the horizon, Chopra’s comments highlight the importance of balancing short-term performance with long-term development — and the potential impact it could have on player retention and auction strategies. For franchises like Mumbai Indians, nurturing overseas talent could be just as important as identifying it.
For the franchises, his case highlights a key lesson: early talent spotting is just the first step; nurturing that talent with patience is equally crucial. For players like Green, it’s about maximizing form and seizing opportunities at the right time.
