Source NDTV sport
Kolkata, December 15, 2025 – The excitement for the upcoming IPL 2026 Mini-Auction reached a fever pitch today as a high-profile mock auction, conducted by the host broadcaster, delivered a headline-grabbing bidding war for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who was ultimately sold for a staggering ₹30.50 Crore to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The simulation, featuring former cricketing stars representing the franchises, saw the aggressive bidding strategy of KKR, represented by Robin Uthappa, blow the price for the lanky all-rounder past all expectations, setting a colossal benchmark for the actual auction scheduled for tomorrow.
KKR Spends Big to Land Green
Cameron Green, who has already commanded high prices in previous auctions, sparked a bidding frenzy, but KKR’s massive purse allowed them to secure the explosive middle-order batter and seam bowler. Green’s acquisition for ₹30.50 Crore instantly made him the most expensive buy of the mock auction.
Robin Uthappa, representing KKR, explained the logic behind the record-breaking bid. While acknowledging the price was huge, he stressed Green’s role as a number three batsman and a vital all-rounder, indicating the team’s willingness to go even higher for a player of his calibre in the real scenario.
“I was ready to go up to ₹35 crore for a player like Green. I think Cameron Green should bat at No. 3 in the order,” Uthappa stated, underscoring the value KKR placed on the Australian star.
CSK’s Measured and Shocking Move
In contrast to the high-roller move by KKR, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), represented by Suresh Raina, adopted a more balanced and measured approach, focusing on filling key gaps. While they were heavily involved in several bids, their most eye-catching purchase was the shock acquisition of Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for ₹10 Crore.
Chahar, a proven performer in the IPL but often overlooked in recent seasons, was a surprising top-end buy for the Super Kings, demonstrating a focus on bolstering their spin department following key releases. Another significant purchase for CSK was the in-form domestic batsman Sarfaraz Khan for ₹7 Crore.
Suresh Raina elaborated on the strategy, stating, “We picked Rahul Chahar as a leg-spinner and Wanindu Hasaranga because we don’t have Jadeja and Ashwin. It was important to bring in Sarfaraz Khan, who is in tremendous form… Even if he plays four or six matches and wins you two games, that ₹7 crore will be fully justified.”
Top Buys in the IPL 2026 Mock Auction
Player Price (₹) Team
Cameron Green 30.50 Crore Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Liam Livingstone 19.00 Crore Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Matheesha Pathirana 13.00 Crore Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Ravi Bishnoi 11.50 Crore Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Rahul Chahar 10.00 Crore Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
The mock auction has set a thrilling precursor to the official bidding process in Abu Dhabi tomorrow. Will franchises maintain this aggressive spending, especially for all-rounders like Green, or will the mock price tag remain an anomaly? All eyes are now on the official auctioneer to see if the ₹30.50 Crore mock bid for Cameron Green translates into a new IPL contract record.
